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.
Catholic influence has seen some of the followers believing that certain catholic saints emit some forces or powers that are called orixas. These energies or forces are considered divine. Faithful also seek the intercession of spirits of their deceased relatives and friends. Their rituals involve interacting with them.
Karma and reincarnation are central tenets of Umbandism. This is exemplified in their worship when they seek the intercession of their ancestors and departed acquaintances. The belief in karma states that the good or bad human beings experience is a result of their deeds in the past.
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.
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.
On November 08, 1908, Zelio was 15 years of age and had gathered in Rio together with other followers of Allan. There was a seance that was taking place. Zelio could manifest into two spirits but the two were considered inferior to those of Allan. Zelio began the process of autonomy from Allan but this did not yield much. Political turmoil in the 1930s caused many Brazilians to seek indigenous religion and Umbanda provided the perfect alternative.
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.
Despite Umbandists identifying with Catholicism, many religious groupings consider them ungodly. In particular, the Catholic Church is opposed to the worship of spirits and mockery of sainthood. While evangelicals can be credited for enhancing spiritualism among the faithful, they consider their way of practice inappropriate and insist that it causes possession by demons.
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.
Catholic influence has seen some of the followers believing that certain catholic saints emit some forces or powers that are called orixas. These energies or forces are considered divine. Faithful also seek the intercession of spirits of their deceased relatives and friends. Their rituals involve interacting with them.
Karma and reincarnation are central tenets of Umbandism. This is exemplified in their worship when they seek the intercession of their ancestors and departed acquaintances. The belief in karma states that the good or bad human beings experience is a result of their deeds in the past.
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.
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.
On November 08, 1908, Zelio was 15 years of age and had gathered in Rio together with other followers of Allan. There was a seance that was taking place. Zelio could manifest into two spirits but the two were considered inferior to those of Allan. Zelio began the process of autonomy from Allan but this did not yield much. Political turmoil in the 1930s caused many Brazilians to seek indigenous religion and Umbanda provided the perfect alternative.
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.
Despite Umbandists identifying with Catholicism, many religious groupings consider them ungodly. In particular, the Catholic Church is opposed to the worship of spirits and mockery of sainthood. While evangelicals can be credited for enhancing spiritualism among the faithful, they consider their way of practice inappropriate and insist that it causes possession by demons.
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