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.
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.
The pillars of Umbandism include reincarnation and Karma. This is clearly seen in their rituals that include intercession by dead ancestors. Karma is a principle that signifies that nothing bad goes unpunished by nature while good things are always rewarded.
Sociologists explain the origin of Umbandism as a blend of Brazilian, Catholic faith and Spiritualism. Spiritualism is manifested in their insistence on communicating with dead relatives and friends. In fact, intercession for the faithful happens through mediums and psychics. The idea of a Supreme Being and believe in saints were borrowed from Catholicism. Orixas came from Brazilian religions which were a blend of African practices imported during slavery.
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.
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.
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.
The pillars of Umbandism include reincarnation and Karma. This is clearly seen in their rituals that include intercession by dead ancestors. Karma is a principle that signifies that nothing bad goes unpunished by nature while good things are always rewarded.
Sociologists explain the origin of Umbandism as a blend of Brazilian, Catholic faith and Spiritualism. Spiritualism is manifested in their insistence on communicating with dead relatives and friends. In fact, intercession for the faithful happens through mediums and psychics. The idea of a Supreme Being and believe in saints were borrowed from Catholicism. Orixas came from Brazilian religions which were a blend of African practices imported during slavery.
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.
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.
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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