Umbanda - All is One

It is difficult to make general statements about Umbanda as there is no central authority, no Holy Book and no one way of ‘working’ this beautifull religion. Each religious house or terreiro is different and autonomous. Umbanda in itself is more of an umbrella term for a variaty of different spiritual paths who all have the same core - to honour and worship the Orishas, the Ancestors and the Forcest of Nature. While there are many similarities, there are just as many differences.

Umbanda is truly a 'traditional religion of the 21st Century', with the first step of initation being the 'Baptism into the Faith" - a ceremony performed in or close to a river during which a person receives several consecrated necklaces to establish closer ties with his or her Spirit Guildes. The costs for initiation into Umbanda are also minimal compared to initiation into Santeria, Vodou or Candomble. Whereas initiates of traditional Orisha religion build and organise their lives around their religion, initiates of Umbanda organise their religion around the 'needs and musts' of their everyday life. Magical workings are simple and effective, spirituality is based on logic and direct interaction between the individual and his or her spirit guides and orishas. Even though called a mystery tradions, Umbanda encourages individuality and teaches that each and every person's 'spiritual and psychic make-up' is unique. Even though many people might have one and the same Guardian Orisha plus 3 or 4 Spirit Guides such as 1 Preto Celho, 1 Caboclo and 1 Gypsy Guide, Umbanda counts dozends upon dozends of different Preto velhos (male and femals), Caboclos (male and female) and Gypsy Guides (again, male and female).

Umbanda is also the only African-Based Religion that completelly abondoned animal sacrifices. Even though some rare houses who associate themselfes with Umbanda still practice killings of animals, true Umbanda is completelly free of animal slaughter! If it involves Animal Sacrifice of any kind, its not Umbanda!

Most houses of Umbanda also place stronger emphazise on Catholic syncretism - often more then on traditional Orixa workship! Whereas Candomble mainly used the Catholic saints as masks for the Orixas but dedicated its worship and adoration to that wich is ‘behind the mask’, Umbanda has embraced the worship of the saints whole-heartedly. This is particularelly obvious in the case of the orixa Ogum who is syncretised with Saint George, the Catholic patron Saint of warriors. An important part of the initiation ceremonies of Umbanda and Candomble alike is the ‘dressing of the spirits’ during possession. Whereas the Ogum of Candomble is dressed in a more traditional warrior outfit, the Ogum of Umbanda is dressed according to the Catholic image of Saint George - complete with the helmet of a Roman Soldier, sword and red cape. Another example of this ‘integrated syncretism’ is Jesus Christ and the orixa Oxala. Whereas Candomble uses the image of Christ to ‘hide’ the true identity of the ‘highest orixa’, Umbanda goes so far to say that Jesus Christ is the highest approachable entity of Umbanda and the ‘true king of this religion’.

The entities Umbanda honours have developed their own way of life in Brazil and what might have been an important mythical story with an essential truth to transmit, will no longer make sence in the new world. New myths and legends have been created and old ones have been transformed to suit the needs of the 20th and 21st century worshipper. This, after all, is the true essence of Umbanda - the abbility to apply ancient knowledge in a modern world!

Questioned on traditional Candomble, Marie-José, the Mae-de-Santo in Serge Bramley’s wonderful book ‘Macumba’ states that “…certain centers have been able to maintain a pure African form. But today they’re on their way out.” Even though this is not really the case, I still believe that Umbanda can serve as an alternative path to traditional African religion such as Santeria and Candomble - especially for people of European descent!

The spiritual universe of Umbanda can best be devided in Orixas and Spirits. The orishas are the ‘extended arms’ of God. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavours of man. They can be best understood by observing the forces of nature they rule over. Being the Royal Ancestors of the Yoruba people of West Africa, the position of the Orishas in Umbanda cosmology is very high. Similar to the Archangels of Jewish and Christian mysticism, the Orixas are seen as the highest approachable entities right below God.

But there is also a multitude of other spirits in the universe of Umbanda. The most well known are the Caboclos – spirits of the Brazilian land, the Preto Velhos – spirits of Old Black Slaves who represent the wisdom, healing and magic of Africa, Exu and Pomba Gira – spirits of witchcraft who represent our deepest and darkest desires and our highest potantial at the same time. We also have the Ciganos – enchanted Gypsy spirits well versed in divination, Marinheiros – spirits of Sailors, Boiadeiros – spirits of Cowboys and Cattle Drivers, and many others!

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The Orixas of Umbanda  The Spirit-Guides of Umbanda

Consecrated Umbanda Necklaces are worn to establish "links" to the Spirit World