Umbanda: The Manifestation of Spirit for the Practice of Charity
What is Umbanda? Perhaps you have heard of this unique and vibrant religion, born in the cultural melting pot of Brazil.
Umbanda offers a diverse array of spiritual practices and beliefs, rooted in the harmonious blend of various traditions.
More than just a faith, Umbanda is a spiritual journey that emphasizes charity, personal growth, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Umbanda was officially founded in Brazil on November 15, 1908.
This spiritual tradition emerged from the blending of diverse cultural influences, notably those of native indigenous South Americans, black Africans, and white Europeans, which together form the foundation of Brazilian culture.
From this rich cultural mix, a new nation and a new religion were born.
The inception of Umbanda is attributed to an entity known as “Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas,” which translates to “Caboclo (native indigenous) of the Seven Crossroads.”
This spirit communicated through a medium named Zélio Fernandino de Moraes and delivered a profound message:
“I come to bring Umbanda, a religion that will harmonise families and that will last until the end of the ages.
Tomorrow, in the house that this instrument (medium/channel) lives in, there will be a table put in place for any and all entities that wish or need to manifest themselves.
Regardless of who they were in life, all shall be heard, and we shall learn with those spirits that know more and we shall teach those that know less, and we shall turn our backs to no one, nor deny anyone, as this is the will of the Father.”
With these words, Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas established the first Umbanda Temple, “A Tenda Espírita Nossa Senhora da Piedade.”
This entity, Caboclo, made numerous prophecies, including foretelling World War I and World War II, and shared revelations about his past incarnations on Earth.
He claimed to have been Friar Gabriel de Malagrida, who was burned at the stake during the Inquisition for predicting the earthquake that devastated Lisbon in 1755.
In his last life, he returned as an indigenous Brazilian Indian.
Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas succinctly defined Umbanda:
“Umbanda is the manifestation of Spirit for the practice of charity.”
Origin of the Name Umbanda
No one truly knows where the name came from, as it was declared by a being of light from the astral planes. There are speculations, however, about its origin...
Some say it is from the Kimbanda language in Angola. It could mean “The art of healing” or “magical healing”.
Another explanation is that it comes from the ancient Sanskrit language. “Aum” and “Bandha” representing the link between the divine realms and our material world.
Core Principles of Umbanda
Mediumship
Spiritual incorporation, embodying spirit or channeling is at the heart of Umbanda.
It is a religion that embraces both Spiritist and spiritual concepts.
Spiritist in the sense that spirit guides manifest through the mediums.
Spiritual because of the personal growth, magical and religious practices involved— worship of the divine, and the respect for highly evolved ascended masters that come to guide us.
Service To Others
There’s a famous saying in Umbanda: “Na Umbanda se entra pelo amor ou pela dor.”
This translates to: You join Umbanda through love or through pain.
What this means is that Umbanda is a fantastic outlet for service.
Those who participate in it, from a place of love, choose to help others.
On the other hand, those in pain, who suffer and need help seek out the Umbanda temples.
Those in need of assistance and guidance are cleansed spiritually and are given words of advice. Everyone is treated the same.
Free Will
What attracts me most to Umbanda is its respect for Free Will.
There is always a choice to be had in life, however difficult or simple it may seem, and Umbanda honours that choice.
Another saying: “Sowing is free but harvest is obligatory/ inevitable.”
At every moment, we are sowing and planting our seeds of intent, through our thoughts, feelings and actions.
Umbanda encourages us and inspires us to choose to sow for the good. This involves listening to and following our hearts— From here we begin to balance emotion and reason and to grow spiritually.
Dogmas and Taboo in Umbanda
There are no strict rules, dogmas or taboo in Umbanda.
Of course, there are some basics but there are no unquestionable truths or forbidden topics.
Other religions are seen as viable expressions of the divine, for example, and people are encouraged to learn and discern in all aspects of life.
Remember, it’s all about manifestation and free will.
Learn with those who know more and teach those who know less and not turn your back on anyone.
Everything is embraced in light and reason.
Spiritual Growth and Inner Work
Umbanda brings about spiritual growth by its very nature.
Inner work, therefore, is inevitable.
Whether it's the adept manifesting spirit through magical practices or the person seeking guidance and receiving a cleanse... change is necessary.
There is no easy way about it—growth requires work. End of story.
The one who visits an Umbanda temple every week and is burdened by the same problem, will be treated and cleansed. Their energy centers balanced and any negativity gotten rid of…
However, if they do not take on the advice given to them, if they don’t choose to really look inside and have the courage to change, they’ll cycle back into that same state of being, and attract the same issues.
It’s important to shine a light on our vices and transform them into virtues.
Be Happy
Umbanda is a humble religion. It doesn’t require much. Striving for happiness lays at the foundation, and this just means choosing to be happy!
Getting to know yourself more profoundly and awakening to a larger, more whole aspect of yourself will bring peace and happiness.
Service to others is at the core of Umbanda teachings and happy people do not hurt others or themselves in any way.
Orixás and Umbanda Entities
Umbanda believes in the One Infinite Creator, the Universe or God if you will. The name chosen to describe this infinity is Olorum.
Umbanda also believes in Orixás (Orishas), which are divine expressions of Unity, divinities that rule over the 7 basic energies or vibrations of creation known as Thrones of God.
To clarify, Orixás are not gods—they are divine energies that are a part of unity itself.
The Orixá that represents Christ Consciousness is called Oxalá.
There is synergy and syncretism between Oxalá and Jesus Christ and they are often depicted side by side or one for another.
The Orixás are divinities that express qualities of the Universe.
They are above the beings of light that come through in Umbanda sessions.
The purest manifestation of the Orixás is seen in Nature, therefore reverence to Mother Nature is held in the highest regard.
This honouring and devotion to the divine energies of creation attracts very old and wise spirits to Umbanda temples.
These are ancestors outside of the reincarnation cycle that adapt to the simple and pure spirituality represented in Umbanda.
The spirits or entities that incorporate through mediums in Umbanda sessions take on certain archetypes. These are known as “Lines of Work in Umbanda”.
Each type of spiritual guide that appears in Umbanda sessions falls under specific categories and the reign of certain Orixás.
So you can see, there is a Divine Order, a hierarchy to the Universe.
Rituals and Offerings in Umbanda
Guardian Angels
It's a custom for spiritual adepts to light a 7-day candle for their guardian angel.
This act brings safety and spiritual protection. It’s a symbolic gesture and a way to stay connected to your spirit guides, keeping the fire of connection alive.
This practice extends to the emotional and rational fields of the mind, adding a magical element to daily life.
However, it's important to note that spiritual protection ultimately depends on your merit and posture as a person, reflecting your life experiences and relationships.
Offerings to Nature
Offerings to the Orixás have been a tradition for thousands of years, serving as a means to connect with the Divine Forces of Nature.
To be clear, the Orixás do not need these offerings.
They do not feed off the energy of the offerings or anything like that.
They are beyond such needs. As the highest form of celestial entities, second only to the mystery-clad Universe itself, they do not want for anything.
So Why do it?
When you make an offering, you’re essentially doing it for yourself.
It is an act of respect, humility, and devotion to the Divine.
Through this practice, you realise the importance of connection with Nature, your guides, and ultimately yourself.
What’s Used in an Umbanda Offering?
Common items used in Umbanda offerings include flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, and candles.
And just in case you were wondering…
Animal sacrifice is not a part of Umbanda!
The Umbanda Temple
After the first temple was founded in 1908, Umbanda began to grow.
Hundreds popped up and eventually thousands of temples appeared.
Umbanda has Free Will at its core, and so the temples are not necessarily connected to one another. Each temple has the freedom to choose to affiliate itself with certain Umbanda Federations or to stay independent.
Despite its adoration of Nature, Umbanda is a modern and urban religion.
That said, it is a humble one and does not need much at all to function.
The basic Umbanda temple consists of:
- A space for the work to take place, which could be as simple as a kitchen or a living room.
- An area for the mediums
- An area for the visitors or those in need
- An altar and a Tronqueira
The Altar
The purpose of the altar, known as a Congá in Portuguese, is to be a point of contact with the higher realms.
It is usually a table elevated off the ground. You can expect to see images and statues of the Orixás, guides, and entities from different lines of work.
The altar also often features natural elements, incense, candles, crystals, and minerals that correspond to specific colors and vibrations related to the Thrones and Orixás.
The altar is the point of connection with the Divine and holds that sacred space for the entire temple.
Tronqueira
Just like the altar, the Tronqueira is a place where candles and elements are used.
However, the Tronqueira is specifically for the Guardians of the Temple.
It is located at the entrance, serving as a gate. The entities involved guard this entrance and perform significant spiritual work.
They prevent darker, negative energies from entering the temple and also deal with, offload, and discharge negative forces and energies.
Similar to the altar, the Tronqueira includes candles, flowers, crystals, and images relating to the Guardians.
A Typical Umbanda Session and What to Expect
Each temple has ritualistic independence due to Free Will and therefore each one is unique in that they are run differently.
What unites them is the essence of Umbanda and not the way sessions take place.
As long as the basic fundamentals are honoured, it is Umbanda.
Wearing White
The Umbanda practitioners wear white.
White is the colour of Oxalá (Christ Consciousness). It’s also the amalgamation of the 7 colours/frequencies of creation and represents high spirituality.
Oxalá reigns over the Throne of Faith in Umbanda tradition. White is also the colour of purity, peace and healing, so it’s more than fitting the practitioners wear it.
Working Barefoot
Adepts work barefoot in Umbanda. Not only is it a nod to the humility involved, but being barefoot connects and grounds us to the Earth.
It’s much easier to connect to spirit this way too and to release any unwanted negative charges we may hold.
Music
It wouldn't be a Brazilian religion without music, right?
The sacred songs are called “Pontos de Umbanda”.
They can be played with Atabaques —a type of drum.
The deep bass of the drum works and activates our root chakra.
This is extremely powerful.
It grounds us and connects us to the Earth, letting go of the thoughts and mind which get in the way of connecting to spirit.
Each part of the session has its own musical counterpart and some entities have their own "pontos" or songs.
These are used to either help call them in or are played while the spirit guides are doing their work.
The video below is a great example of Atabaque.
Candles
There's always a lit candle somewhere in an Umbanda temple.
Candles are lit for the Orixás, for our guides, and guardian angels.
Candles enhance and strengthen spiritual work, prayers and wishes.
The flames are considered portals that link the material world with the spirit world.
Each candle has a spiritual “owner”—the one who lit it with a certain intention.
The forces connected with it manifest and protect the person who lit it.
Smoke
Whether it’s burning dried herbs and resins in a censer with charcoal, known as smudging, or just a simple incense stick billowing away…
You'll most definitely find smoke in an Umbanda Temple.
The purpose is to promote a cleanse of the astral space through the aromatics and magical properties.
The Use of Magic Spaces
Magic spaces are sometimes called magic circles, though if you study them you realise they are not limited to just the circular shape.
They are a magical foundation of Umbanda.
The spiritual entities draw and open magic spaces with the use of chalk and other elements.
These become open vortexes of energy and act like portals.
These intense vibrational fields are used for cleansing, enchanting, consecration and also to evoke the forces, power and mystery of the Orixás.
Necklaces and Bracelets
Another tradition that is as old as time itself. Umbanda adepts use necklaces and bracelets that are charged with energy or enchanted.
In more tribal times, all sorts of materials were used—Bones, hair and teeth etc.
Perhaps to ward off physical attacks from animals. Today they’re used for similar reasons, spiritual talismans that offer protection.
The materials used today, however, are less frightening...
It’s common to use small crystals, beads and seeds and a nylon string holding them together.
You may see an occasional tooth if you’re lucky!
Smoking and Drinking
The use of tobacco, a sacred herb, is common to see in Umbanda temples.
The entities manipulate the smoke and use it as a form of cleansing whoever is being seen or treated.
The outward breath is associated with healing power.
The entities do not inhale the smoke, out of respect to the medium.
It’s also interesting that depending on the “Line of Work” or archetype of the entity, some prefer pipes while others prefer cigars etc.
The entities use alcohol as another form of purifying. The act of fermentation holds great power and is seen as a sacred transformation.
No wonder we use the word Spirits to talk about alcohol, right?
These alcoholic drinks are consecrated by the entities and are also used in magic spaces.
When ingested it is with extreme moderation and a form of cleansing the person seeking help.
Herbal Baths
One of the most used resources offered by guides and mediums.
Sacred herbs have so many properties for balancing and purifying negative energies.
It’s common for the entities to advise a herbal bath to the ones seeking guidance.
The Umbanda Session
The Umbanda ritual has a beginning, middle and end. This varies from temple to temple but in general it is as follows :
- A briefing to those involved, a prayer and greeting or salutation to the Guardians of the temple, followed by the Umbanda Hymn and a smudging.
- The opening of the session starts with a greeting to the Orixás and guides of the temple. Then the mediums are called for incorporation of the particular line that is being worked on that day. Then the spiritual entities manifest for the service and attendance of those in need.
- The closing of the session consists of a final prayer and a thanksgiving to all spiritual powers and forces involved.
Things can change between temples, for example sometimes more than one line of work may manifest in one session.
Umbanda is Free
Those in need of spiritual assistance are not charged.
The mediums, however, usually get together to help pay the bills of the temple/ centre.
Umbanda is all about charity and spiritual service for those in need.
To avoid exploitation, though, routines are formed.
There is usually a dedicated time and place for these sessions.
It's common to have a session once or twice a week, respecting the defined time and space for the practice.
Umbanda Practices are Ancient
States of trance (mediumship), spiritual and energy healing, magic (ceremonial, ritualistic, or natural), smudging, adoration of divinities, the devotion to nature and service to others are not at all novel practices.
They've been around since forever and are part of the fundamentals of Umbanda.
Watch this video below!
It is a rendition of the Umbanda Hymn and the video captures a lot of the Umbanda essence.
I went to umbanda meetings when i was with my sister in law up in the mountains of Gamma in Brazil.We also attended rituals in Motri Sadan.I live in VB now & would feel released of emotional bonfire if I could find a meeting to attend in Brazil. We brought gifts of cigars & small crystals what are traditions here ?
Thank you for helping me
Candus ☯️