Quimbanda - Revision history

Occultwiki at 14:10, 17 June 2025

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	'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion\|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].		'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion\|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].

	Quimbanda focuses on male spirits called ''exús'' as well as their female counterparts, ''pomba giras''. ''Pomba giras'' are often regarded as the spirits of deceased women who worked as prostitutes or in other positions traditionally considered immoral in [[Christianity\|Catholic]] Brazilian society. Quimbanda's practices are often focused on worldly success regarding money and sex.		Quimbanda focuses on male spirits called ''exús'' as well as their female counterparts, ''pomba giras''. ''Pomba giras'' are often regarded as the spirits of deceased women who worked as prostitutes or in other positions traditionally considered immoral in [[Christianity\|Catholic]] Brazilian society.

			Quimbanda's practices are often focused on worldly success regarding money and sex. The religion shares much of the philosophy of [[LaVeyan Satanism]], although it is more focused on the invocation of spirits.

	==Etymology==		==Etymology==
	Historically, the term "Quimbanda" has been used by practitioners of [[Umbanda]], a religion established in Brazil during the 1920s, to characterize the religious practices that they opposed.		Historically, the term "Quimbanda" has been used by practitioners of [[Umbanda]], a religion established in Brazil during the 1920s, to characterize the religious practices that they opposed.

	The term ''Quimbanda'' came from the Kimbundu word ''kimbanda'' meaning "healer" or "[[magician]]".		The term ''Quimbanda'' came from the Kimbundu word ''kimbanda'' meaning "healer" or "[[magician]]." In the 1800s, the word became synonymous with witch-doctors in Africa.

	Practitioners are called ''Quimbandeiros''.		Practitioners are called ''Quimbandeiros''.
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	According to Brazil’s 2000 census less than 1% of the population claimed to belong to Afro-Brazilian religions (including Quimbanda and Umbanda). Although very little of the Brazilian population claims to follow Quimbanda, many people from all social ranks use Quimbanda rituals occasionally. It is a common practice for businessmen to consult ''exús'' before major business dealings.		According to Brazil’s 2000 census less than 1% of the population claimed to belong to Afro-Brazilian religions (including Quimbanda and Umbanda). Although very little of the Brazilian population claims to follow Quimbanda, many people from all social ranks use Quimbanda rituals occasionally. It is a common practice for businessmen to consult ''exús'' before major business dealings.

	Quimbanda has been ~~criticised~~ and opposed by various groups in Brazilian society. Animal rights groups have objected to its practice of animal sacrifice. Spiritists maintain that Quimbandistas are drawing low spirits into the material realm, while Pentecostalists and other [[Christianity\|Christians]] have regarded Quimbanda as being in service of [[the Devil]].		Quimbanda has been criticized and opposed by various groups in Brazilian society. Animal rights groups have objected to its practice of animal sacrifice. Spiritists maintain that Quimbandistas are drawing low spirits into the material realm, while Pentecostalists and other [[Christianity\|Christians]] have regarded Quimbanda as being in service of [[the Devil]].

	==External links==		==External links==

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History

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	==History==		==History==
	Before Quimbanda ~~became its own separate~~ religion, ~~it was contained~~ inside the religious tradition of Macumba.		Before Quimbanda came to exist as a unique religion, many of the rituals and techniques later practiced by followers existed in some form inside the religious tradition of known as ''Macumba''. During the late 19th century and into the mid 20th century, ''Macumba'' was a pejorative term for all religions deemed by the white-dominant class as primitive, [[demon]]ic and superstitious [[black magic]]. However, as African culture continued to blend with the native Brazilian culture, the religious practices which had been termed ''Macumba'' gradually morphed into a loosely-organized new religious movement called [[Umbanda]].

	~~During~~ the ~~late 19th century~~ and ~~into~~ the ~~mid 20th century~~, ~~Macumba~~ was ~~a pejorative term for all religions deemed by the white-dominant class as primitive~~, ~~[[demon]]ic~~ and ~~superstitious~~ [[~~black magic~~]]~~. However,~~ as ~~African culture continued to blend with the native Brazilian culture, Macumba morphed into two religions:~~ Umbanda ~~and Quimbanda~~.		===Lourenço Braga===
			By the 1940s, Umbanda had become more structured, with the formation of numerous churches and a national organization which provided guidance, but not leadership to the regional churches, which remained independent. Among those Umbandists who wished to bring increased organization and formality to the religion's practices was Lourenço Braga, an author and Umbandist who studied under Zélio de Moraes, a [[channeling\|medium]] who is widely regarded as having founded Umbanda as a new religion in 1918.

	In the 1970s, Quimbanda rapidly grew into its own religion with unique traditions.		Braga began collecting as much information as he could about Umbanda rituals, traditions, and beliefs with the goal of writing a fiction novel to explain these practices and the importance of Umbanda to the greater population of Brazil. His debut novel, ''Os Mistérios da Magia'' (''The Mysteries of Magic''), published in 1940, was a romance novel which told the story of two rich, white Brazilian siblings who are tormented by evil magician practicing a form of African [[black magic]] called Quimbanda. The novel establishes Quimbanda as the evil opposite of everything good in Umbanda.

			The following year, at the First Congress of Umbanda Spiritism in Rio de Janeiro, Lourenço Braga presented a cosmology of [[ritual magic\|magic]] divided into three parts:
			* [[Spiritualism]] - Neutral magic
			* [[Umbanda]] - Good magic
			* Quimbanda - Evil magic

			After receiving a positive reception from his fellow Umbandists, Braga expanded his text into a book published in 1942, ''Umbanda e Quimbanda''. This text was not fictional, but intended as a practical guide and textbook study of magic religious practices from the Umbandan point of view. In addition to popularizing and formalizing Umbandan rituals, the book had a side-effect of spreading the rituals and philosophies of Quimbanda as well.

			===Contemporary period===
			In the 1970s, inspired by the rise in [[Satanism]] in America, Quimbanda rapidly grew into its own religion with unique traditions. The foundation of these practices were derived from Braga's books, but contemporary followers have also borrowed from the works of [[Anton LaVey]], [[Aleister Crowley]], and other modern [[occultist]]s.

	==Beliefs==		==Beliefs==

Occultwiki at 06:40, 14 November 2024

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	==Relationship with Umbanda==		==Relationship with Umbanda==
	Quimbanda is closely related to [[Umbanda]] and the two have been regarded as "sister" religions. Umbanda represents the ‘whitened’ aspects of Macumba, drawing heavily on spiritual and hierarchical values of French Spiritism and [[Christianity\|Catholicism]]. On the other hand, Quimbanda represented the aspects of Macumba that were rejected in the whitening process, becoming "the Macumba of Macumbas."		Quimbanda is closely related to [[Umbanda]] and the two have been regarded as "sister" religions. Umbanda represents the ‘whitened’ aspects of Macumba, drawing heavily on spiritual and hierarchical values of French [[Spiritualism\|Spiritism]] and [[Christianity\|Catholicism]]. On the other hand, Quimbanda represented the aspects of Macumba that were rejected in the whitening process, becoming "the Macumba of Macumbas."

	The split between the black and white magic of Macumba has caused much debate over the unity or disunity of Quimbanda and Umbanda. Some believe that Quimbanda and Umbanda represent aspects or tendencies of a single system.		The split between the black and white magic of Macumba has caused much debate over the unity or disunity of Quimbanda and Umbanda. Some believe that Quimbanda and Umbanda represent aspects or tendencies of a single system.

Occultwiki at 07:20, 5 November 2024

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	[[File:Quimbanda ~~Initiation~~.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|A Quimbanda ~~initiation ceremony~~]]		[[File:Quimbanda Ritual.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|A Quimbanda ritual featuring a statue of [[Baphomet]]]]
	'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion\|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].		'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion\|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].

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	Practitioners are called ''Quimbandeiros''.		Practitioners are called ''Quimbandeiros''.

			==History==
			Before Quimbanda became its own separate religion, it was contained inside the religious tradition of Macumba.

			During the late 19th century and into the mid 20th century, Macumba was a pejorative term for all religions deemed by the white-dominant class as primitive, [[demon]]ic and superstitious [[black magic]]. However, as African culture continued to blend with the native Brazilian culture, Macumba morphed into two religions: Umbanda and Quimbanda.

			In the 1970s, Quimbanda rapidly grew into its own religion with unique traditions.

	==Beliefs==		==Beliefs==
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	* Forests		* Forests

	==~~History~~==		==Initiation==
	~~Before~~ Quimbanda ~~became its own separate~~ religion, it ~~was contained inside~~ the ~~religious tradition~~ of ~~Macumba~~.		[[File:Quimbanda Initiation.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|A Quimbanda initiation ceremony]]
			Quimbanda is an initiatory religion with grades that practitioners progress through as they gain experience and knowledge in the traditions and customs.

			===0° Degree - Probationer===
			A Probationer is someone who has sought initiation into a Quimbanda group and has been accepted. The Probationer is presented with a study program, which involves an assessment of knowledge upon completion. A stay of only nine months is permitted in the Probationer Degree. At the end of the probationary period, after completing the study program and having passed the final assessment, the Probationer can undergo the baptism ceremony and become a Novice, Degree I°.

			===Degree I° - Novice (Baptized)===
			After completing the probationary period and having undergone the baptism ceremony, the Novice begins a journey of [[ritual magic\|magical]] exploration through the Kingdoms of Quimbanda through the crossings, where he will acquire familiarity with the ''exús'' of Quimbanda and will pay full devotion to the Chief Império Maioral and his tutelary ''exú''. This is a period of adaptation and adjustment to the magical-chthonic forces of Quimbanda.

			===Grade II - Kimbanda (Initiate)===
			Having adapted to the magical power of Quimbanda, the Novice is accepted into the initiation ritual; it is from this moment that he will be linked to Quimbanda and his tutelary ''exú'' through a [[diabolical pact]]. From this moment on, the katabatic journey of the Kimbanda begins, who will seek, through the process of [[channeling\|mediumistic]] and magical development, to get closer to and create permanent bonds with his tutelary ''exú''.

	~~During the late 19th century and into~~ the ~~mid 20th century, Macumba was a pejorative term~~ for ~~all religions deemed by~~ the ~~white-dominant class as primitive~~, ~~[[demon]]ic~~ and ~~superstitious [[black magic]]. However~~, ~~as African culture continued to blend with~~ the ~~native Brazilian culture~~, ~~Macumba morphed into two religions: Umbanda~~ and ~~Quimbanda~~.		===Grade III - Nganga (Priesthood)===
			Having received all the ''àṣẹ'' required for the priesthood, and having demonstrated priestly aptitude, the Kimbanda becomes a ''Nganga'', a Priest of Quimbanda, and can offer magical services.

	In the ~~1970s~~, Quimbanda ~~rapidly grew~~ into ~~its own religion with unique traditions~~.		===Degree IV° - Táta or Mameto (Master)===
			Having demonstrated the necessary aptitude, honor and loyalty, the ''Nganga'' becomes a ''Táta Nganga'', a Master of Quimbanda. Having acquired spiritual authority and authorization through mastery, the ''Táta Nganga'' can initiate other adepts into Quimbanda.

	==Relationship with Umbanda==		==Relationship with Umbanda==

Occultwiki at 07:09, 5 November 2024

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			[[File:Quimbanda Initiation.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|A Quimbanda initiation ceremony]]
	'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion\|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].		'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion\|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].

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	Quimbanda has been criticised and opposed by various groups in Brazilian society. Animal rights groups have objected to its practice of animal sacrifice. Spiritists maintain that Quimbandistas are drawing low spirits into the material realm, while Pentecostalists and other [[Christianity\|Christians]] have regarded Quimbanda as being in service of [[the Devil]].		Quimbanda has been criticised and opposed by various groups in Brazilian society. Animal rights groups have objected to its practice of animal sacrifice. Spiritists maintain that Quimbandistas are drawing low spirits into the material realm, while Pentecostalists and other [[Christianity\|Christians]] have regarded Quimbanda as being in service of [[the Devil]].

			==External links==
			* [https://www.quimbandanago.com/ Quimbanda Nagô website]

	[[Category:African diasporic religions]]		[[Category:African diasporic religions]]

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Created page with "'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an Afro-Brazilian religion practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil..."

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'''Quimbanda''' (Portuguese pronunciation: [kĩˈbɐ̃dɐ]) is an [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilian religion]] practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. The religion borrowed many aspects of other traditions, especially [[Umbanda]] and [[Candomblé]].

Quimbanda focuses on male spirits called ''exús'' as well as their female counterparts, ''pomba giras''. ''Pomba giras'' are often regarded as the spirits of deceased women who worked as prostitutes or in other positions traditionally considered immoral in [[Christianity|Catholic]] Brazilian society. Quimbanda's practices are often focused on worldly success regarding money and sex.

==Etymology==
Historically, the term "Quimbanda" has been used by practitioners of [[Umbanda]], a religion established in Brazil during the 1920s, to characterize the religious practices that they opposed.

The term ''Quimbanda'' came from the Kimbundu word ''kimbanda'' meaning "healer" or "[[magician]]".

Practitioners are called ''Quimbandeiros''.

==Beliefs==
Quimbanda is a [[channeling|spirit-mediumship]] religion. Its rituals focus on spirit mediums "incorporating", or being possessed by, various ancestral spirits. In distinction from Umbanda, it focuses on interactions with "spirits of the street," namely ''exús'' and ''pombagiras'' but also, since the 1970s, ''ciganos''.

Particular elements of an ''exú'' ritual remain unchanged in the ''pombagira'' ritual because the ''pombagiras'' are direct female counterparts of ''exús''.

===''Exús''===
In Quimbanda the male spirits are known as ''exús'', they are considered very powerful spirits. The name for this category of spirits was borrowed from the deity Exu. ''Exús'' refers to the "phalanx" (legion) of spirits.

''Exús'', commonly referred to as "spirits of the left," are not purely evil. Instead, they are more human-like in their qualities and share in human weaknesses. ''Exú'' spirits primarily deal with human and material matters as opposed to the "spirits of the right" used in Umbanda, who deal with primarily spiritual matters. ''Exús'' are typically called for rituals to arrange rendezvous, force justice, or keep life balance.

Quimbanderos instead affirm that ''exús'' have a stern and high morality, but they are comfortable helping people with delicate matters like seduction and vengeance, but never with the uninterest in morality and ethic often attributed to them by outsiders.

===''Pombagris''===
The female counterparts of the ''exús'', ''pombagiras'' are regarded as the spirits of immoral women such as prostitutes. These spirits are linked to marginal and dangerous places, they are associated with sexuality, blood, death, and cemeteries. They are often presented as being ribald and flirty, speaking in sexual euphemisms and double entendres. They wear red and black clothing, and only possess women and gay men, who will then often smoke or drink alcohol, using obscene language and behaving lasciviously.

The term ''pombagira'' may derive from the Bantu word ''bombogira'', the name of a male ''orixá'' in [[Candomblé]]'s Bantu or Angola tradition. In Brazilian Portuguese, the term ''pomba'' is a euphemism for the vulva.

==Rituals==
Animal sacrifice, generally avoided in [[Umbanda]], is common in Quimbanda as it is in many [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilian religion]]s. Species sacrificed include pigeons, chickens, goats, sheep, and bulls.

A Quimbanda ritual, called a ''trabalho'', typically consists of several parts:
* a motive, dedication to a spirit
* a marginal location
* the metal or clay ([[earth]]y) materia
* an [[recreational drug|alcoholic drink]], scent, and food (usually a peppered flour-palm oil mixture, sometimes called ''miamiami'')

Songs that Quimbandistas sing for the deities are commonly called ''pontos''.

===Marginal locations===
"Marginal locations" refer to areas containing magical and spiritual significance where rituals are executed. Many Quimbanda rituals are performed at crossroads, as Exu is the Lord of the seven crossroads and Ogum is the Lord of the center of the crossroads.

Other marginal locations include:
* Streets at night
* Cemeteries
* Beaches
* Forests

==History==
Before Quimbanda became its own separate religion, it was contained inside the religious tradition of Macumba.

During the late 19th century and into the mid 20th century, Macumba was a pejorative term for all religions deemed by the white-dominant class as primitive, [[demon]]ic and superstitious [[black magic]]. However, as African culture continued to blend with the native Brazilian culture, Macumba morphed into two religions: Umbanda and Quimbanda.

In the 1970s, Quimbanda rapidly grew into its own religion with unique traditions.

==Relationship with Umbanda==
Quimbanda is closely related to [[Umbanda]] and the two have been regarded as "sister" religions. Umbanda represents the ‘whitened’ aspects of Macumba, drawing heavily on spiritual and hierarchical values of French Spiritism and [[Christianity|Catholicism]]. On the other hand, Quimbanda represented the aspects of Macumba that were rejected in the whitening process, becoming "the Macumba of Macumbas."

The split between the black and white magic of Macumba has caused much debate over the unity or disunity of Quimbanda and Umbanda. Some believe that Quimbanda and Umbanda represent aspects or tendencies of a single system.

Umbandist leaders openly disavow practices they consider barbaric or primitive which belong to Quimbanda. For the early Umbandistas, Quimbanda represented a repository for all the opprobrious associations from which they wished to escape. Given that Umbanda places focus on combating the harmful influences of exús, a common saying among Umbandistas is that "if it weren't for Quimbanda, Umbanda would have no reason to exist."

The boundaries between Umbanda and Quimbanda are nevertheless not always clear, with various spirit mediums engaging or promoting practices associated with both.

==Contemporary view==
According to Brazil’s 2000 census less than 1% of the population claimed to belong to Afro-Brazilian religions (including Quimbanda and Umbanda). Although very little of the Brazilian population claims to follow Quimbanda, many people from all social ranks use Quimbanda rituals occasionally. It is a common practice for businessmen to consult ''exús'' before major business dealings.

Quimbanda has been criticised and opposed by various groups in Brazilian society. Animal rights groups have objected to its practice of animal sacrifice. Spiritists maintain that Quimbandistas are drawing low spirits into the material realm, while Pentecostalists and other [[Christianity|Christians]] have regarded Quimbanda as being in service of [[the Devil]].

[[Category:African diasporic religions]]