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.
There appears to be discrepancies in the manner of worship and belief across different regions. This religion has borrowed heavily from Catholicism which has caused most followers to regard themselves as Catholics. What unifies the faithful is the belief that there exists a supreme God called Olorum or Zambi. He manifests through his multiple 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.
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.
The origin of Umbandism appears to be an attempt to reconcile Catholicism, Spiritualism and Brazilian traditional religion. The aspect of spiritualism is heavily manifested in communication with dead acquaintances and relatives. Within their temples are psychics and mediums who talk to ancestors on their behalf. It is Catholicism that gifted them the belief in one God while native Brazilian religion, blended with African rituals after years with slaves, gifted them the 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.
It is on November 08, 1908 that Zelio, at 15 years of age, formed Umbanda. His psychic power enabled him to manifest in two spirits. This was not convincing to followers of Allan but it gave him a starting point. His religion gained momentum in the 1930s after political turmoil shook Brazil. The citizens wanted a unifying factor which they found in Umbanda. They considered it the most authentic manifestation of the Brazilian culture.
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.
Umbandism faces a lot of opposition from Catholics, Protestants and evangelicals. Catholics consider their idea of sainthood a mockery and do not support their worship of spirits. Evangelicals consider their approach to spiritualism pedestrian and demonic. Such challenges explain why their numbers seem to stagnate.
There appears to be discrepancies in the manner of worship and belief across different regions. This religion has borrowed heavily from Catholicism which has caused most followers to regard themselves as Catholics. What unifies the faithful is the belief that there exists a supreme God called Olorum or Zambi. He manifests through his multiple 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.
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.
The origin of Umbandism appears to be an attempt to reconcile Catholicism, Spiritualism and Brazilian traditional religion. The aspect of spiritualism is heavily manifested in communication with dead acquaintances and relatives. Within their temples are psychics and mediums who talk to ancestors on their behalf. It is Catholicism that gifted them the belief in one God while native Brazilian religion, blended with African rituals after years with slaves, gifted them the 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.
It is on November 08, 1908 that Zelio, at 15 years of age, formed Umbanda. His psychic power enabled him to manifest in two spirits. This was not convincing to followers of Allan but it gave him a starting point. His religion gained momentum in the 1930s after political turmoil shook Brazil. The citizens wanted a unifying factor which they found in Umbanda. They considered it the most authentic manifestation of the Brazilian culture.
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.
Umbandism faces a lot of opposition from Catholics, Protestants and evangelicals. Catholics consider their idea of sainthood a mockery and do not support their worship of spirits. Evangelicals consider their approach to spiritualism pedestrian and demonic. Such challenges explain why their numbers seem to stagnate.