Umbandism is a blend of traditional Brazilian, African, Catholicism and spiritualism. It has close resemblance with Candomble but differs on several aspects. Despite the history of Umbanda tracing it to Brazil, it has spread into Uruguay and Argentina. The founder is Zelio Fernandino and dates back to early 1900.
All Umbandas do not follow similar religious practices. The discrepancies can be seen in the manner of worship in different areas. Surprisingly, many Umbandas consider themselves Catholics. It is a common belief among the faithful that there is a supreme deity who they refer to as Olorum or Zambi. He works through multiple manifestations or representations.
An example of an aspect borrowed from the Catholic Church is the belief that saints, who they refer to as orixas, provide magical or divine power and energy. Deceased relatives are part of daily worship and interact with the worshipers during rituals. They intercede on their behalf and have the power to influence daily life.
Two central tenets of Umbanda are reincarnation and karma. This explains their constant interaction with the spirits of their dead ancestors. By karma, they believe that the good deeds a person performs will return or turn back to him in one way or the other.
Sociologists explain the origin of Umbandism as a blend of Brazilian, Catholic faith and Spiritualism. Spiritualism is manifested in their insistence on communicating with dead relatives and friends. In fact, intercession for the faithful happens through mediums and psychics. The idea of a Supreme Being and believe in saints were borrowed from Catholicism. Orixas came from Brazilian religions which were a blend of African practices imported during slavery.
Zelio is credited with founding Umbanda in the early 1900. His influence emanated from his psychic powers under Kardec Allan. This enabled him to depart with a sizable number of followers while he was still based in Rio de Janeiro. Umbandism is tainted with some of the practices by followers of Kardec. The native Brazilian influence was not authentic since it borrowed heavily from the African slaves.
The precise date for formation of Umbanda is said to be 08, November 1908 during a seance in Rio. Zelio, the psychic, was 15 years of age. He had the power to manifest in two spirits that followers of Allan regarded as inferior. This did not deter him from commencing the journey towards own religion. It did not gain momentum until 1930 when Brazilians needed a unifying factor during political turmoil. The religion by Zelio was the only authentic Brazilian focal point they could find.
There are priests and priestesses in Umbanda temples who interact with spirits on behalf of worshipers. The temples are built like the Catholic churches and are called terreiros. Their worship ceremonies are characterized by dances, eating and drinking. There are sacrifices made to God and accompanied by chanting. For visitors to join the group, they are likely to have manifested a spirit.
Opposition against Umbandism comes from Protestants, Catholics and evangelicals on different grounds. Catholics oppose what they consider as mockery of sainthood beyond regarding their Spiritualism as pedestrian. Evangelicals are opposed to their practice of spiritualism and consider it demonic. Their numbers have stagnated with little or no expansion.
All Umbandas do not follow similar religious practices. The discrepancies can be seen in the manner of worship in different areas. Surprisingly, many Umbandas consider themselves Catholics. It is a common belief among the faithful that there is a supreme deity who they refer to as Olorum or Zambi. He works through multiple manifestations or representations.
An example of an aspect borrowed from the Catholic Church is the belief that saints, who they refer to as orixas, provide magical or divine power and energy. Deceased relatives are part of daily worship and interact with the worshipers during rituals. They intercede on their behalf and have the power to influence daily life.
Two central tenets of Umbanda are reincarnation and karma. This explains their constant interaction with the spirits of their dead ancestors. By karma, they believe that the good deeds a person performs will return or turn back to him in one way or the other.
Sociologists explain the origin of Umbandism as a blend of Brazilian, Catholic faith and Spiritualism. Spiritualism is manifested in their insistence on communicating with dead relatives and friends. In fact, intercession for the faithful happens through mediums and psychics. The idea of a Supreme Being and believe in saints were borrowed from Catholicism. Orixas came from Brazilian religions which were a blend of African practices imported during slavery.
Zelio is credited with founding Umbanda in the early 1900. His influence emanated from his psychic powers under Kardec Allan. This enabled him to depart with a sizable number of followers while he was still based in Rio de Janeiro. Umbandism is tainted with some of the practices by followers of Kardec. The native Brazilian influence was not authentic since it borrowed heavily from the African slaves.
The precise date for formation of Umbanda is said to be 08, November 1908 during a seance in Rio. Zelio, the psychic, was 15 years of age. He had the power to manifest in two spirits that followers of Allan regarded as inferior. This did not deter him from commencing the journey towards own religion. It did not gain momentum until 1930 when Brazilians needed a unifying factor during political turmoil. The religion by Zelio was the only authentic Brazilian focal point they could find.
There are priests and priestesses in Umbanda temples who interact with spirits on behalf of worshipers. The temples are built like the Catholic churches and are called terreiros. Their worship ceremonies are characterized by dances, eating and drinking. There are sacrifices made to God and accompanied by chanting. For visitors to join the group, they are likely to have manifested a spirit.
Opposition against Umbandism comes from Protestants, Catholics and evangelicals on different grounds. Catholics oppose what they consider as mockery of sainthood beyond regarding their Spiritualism as pedestrian. Evangelicals are opposed to their practice of spiritualism and consider it demonic. Their numbers have stagnated with little or no expansion.
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