Umbandism is a combination of religious believes borrowed from Catholicism, African tradition religion and native Brazilian religion. It has an added flavor of Spritualism and also closely resembles Candomble. The history of Umbanda dates back to 1900 with the origin being Brazil under Zelio Fernandino. During its expansion years, it spread to Argentina and Uruguay.
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.
The belief in saints is one of the aspects that can be traced back to Catholicism. These saints are referred to as Orixas and they come with magical powers and energy. Faithful believe that the dead still have a stake in their lives and are thus a part of their worship rituals. It is through their intercession that the living get their daily provisions.
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.
Several explanations have been given about the origin of the belief system followed in this religion. According to sociologists, spiritualism gave birth to communicating with the dead through such powers as psychics and mediums. From Catholicism, they borrowed the concept of a Supreme Being as well as reverence of saints. Brazilian traditional religions are believed to have contributed to the belief in orixas.
The founder Zelio Fernandino is believed to have lived in Rio de Janeiro around 1900. He was a psychic and therefore had spiritual or extra ordinary powers and influence. It is by combining the Brazilian religion, which was heavily influenced by slave from African, and modern spirituality, e. G. That of Allan Kardec, that he came up with this religious movement.
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.
Temples used by Umbandas resemble the Catholic Church in design. The ceremonies are led by priests and priestesses who are the intercessors between the departed souls and the living. The rituals and sacrifices to Gods are conducted at the terreiros and involve dances, songs and offerings of food and drinks. There are chants to summon relevant spirits during sacrifices. Manifesting a spirit can warrant a visitor to join the religion.
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.
The belief in saints is one of the aspects that can be traced back to Catholicism. These saints are referred to as Orixas and they come with magical powers and energy. Faithful believe that the dead still have a stake in their lives and are thus a part of their worship rituals. It is through their intercession that the living get their daily provisions.
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.
Several explanations have been given about the origin of the belief system followed in this religion. According to sociologists, spiritualism gave birth to communicating with the dead through such powers as psychics and mediums. From Catholicism, they borrowed the concept of a Supreme Being as well as reverence of saints. Brazilian traditional religions are believed to have contributed to the belief in orixas.
The founder Zelio Fernandino is believed to have lived in Rio de Janeiro around 1900. He was a psychic and therefore had spiritual or extra ordinary powers and influence. It is by combining the Brazilian religion, which was heavily influenced by slave from African, and modern spirituality, e. G. That of Allan Kardec, that he came up with this religious movement.
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.
Temples used by Umbandas resemble the Catholic Church in design. The ceremonies are led by priests and priestesses who are the intercessors between the departed souls and the living. The rituals and sacrifices to Gods are conducted at the terreiros and involve dances, songs and offerings of food and drinks. There are chants to summon relevant spirits during sacrifices. Manifesting a spirit can warrant a visitor to join the religion.
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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