by Mark Stevenson Fuo

The good news of the gospel has spread to the world over. The good book said on the last day. There will be no excuse of  having not heard the word of God. In Salvador, like most part of the world, the protestants and the penticostals churches have taken charge. There are lots of pentecostal churches that have won over a bunch of congregation. A remarkable one is the Igreja Universal de Reino de Deus a gigantic pentecostal church whose headquarters is situated in the Iguatemi part of town. Leaders and pastors of most of the pentecostal churches including the aforemention have indulged in a show of shame a couple of times over the years  in the embezzlement of church funds. This has made most Afro- brazilians stick firmly to their old religion. Other religions like Islam, spiritualism which is quite strong, Buddhism, and catholism also exist all over Bahia. But out of these religions, the Afro- Brazilian religion remains more prominent in the State.Quite a number of Europeans and American tourists flock to Bahia, to experience what this religion has to offer them.

The Afro Brazilian Religions

The African slaves especially those from the west, carried along their Yoruba religion with them when they were brought to Brazil, Candomblé as Afro- Brazilians term this religion is one which seeks harmony with nature. The worship of this religion is carried out in religious centres called terreiros. At the hem of affairs are priestesses, known as mães de santo (mother of saints) or priests, pais de santo (father of saints). Gigantic statues of all kinds could be noticed around these Candomblé temples. They are called the orixás ( African gods) that accompanied the slaves from Africa to Brazil.

Most Afro- Brazilians cherish these gods that they have preserved and worshipped for over 500 years. They fought to realize the fusion of Catholicism with their worship, doctrines and beliefs. In the religious ceremonies, practitioners dress in the colors of the orixás and place food at the altar before singing special songs and dancing precisely choreographed steps to the sacred drums. Everybody is said to have their own special orixás. During the ceremonies, worshippers fall into all kinds of trances, which they believe is caused by the contact and interaction they have experienced with the deities.

Apart from the Candomblé, other religious group also emanated from Africa to Brazil. The Macumba, and Umbanda are religions from the same origin in this category. The Macumba is a general term that describes African derived spirit worship while Umbanda is more distinctive. The former is to Rio de Janeiro what Candomblé is to Bahia. They both involve closely related rituals and mode of worship.

The variations of worship simply reflect different beliefs brought by different groups of slaves from Africa. as well as the effects of regional separation as these religions developed in Brazil. For more information on the religion, a visit to one of the terreiros in Bahia will clear all your doubts and equip you with additional information about these religions.