Umbanda

Question 1

Brazil is characterized by the long-standing, deeply embedded traditions of

Answer 1

Religious Syncretism
Religious Pluralism
Medical Pluralism

Question 2

Religious Syncretism

Answer 2

blending of different religions

Question 3

Religious Pluralism

Answer 3

modern people will look for different religious tradition for their spiritual needs

Question 4

Medical Pluralism

Answer 4

people will look for western medicine, religion, herbalism for medical reasons

Question 5

How did Brazils traditions come about?

Answer 5

1. Half of all the slaves imported into the new world from Africa went to Brazil
2. The Portuguese crown was weak so cultural continuity
3. African medicine mroe fit for Brazil

Question 6

Orixás

Answer 6

African deities who were disguised as Catholic Saints.

Question 7

Other factors to Brazil’s traditions

Answer 7

Folk Catholicism
African Traditions
Spiritism and the Rise of Umbanda.

Question 8

Folk Catholicism

Answer 8

“cult of the saints”
intercessors to God.

Question 9

African Traditions

Answer 9

polytheistic, nature-based, spirit possession.
Serfs - lesser entities which are the in between for gods and humans
Highly ritualistic, trance states (voluntary spirit possessions)

Question 10

Spiritism and the Rise of Umbanda.

Answer 10

1900s - free african churches had little resemblance to christianity
Movement to more pure african tradition
Different variances

Question 11

Umbanda formed when

Answer 11

spiritists joined with people in Rio
Wanted to make a uniquely Brazilian religion that kept the African traditions but combined it with other Brazilian religions (native american, christianity)

Question 12

Spirit Types

Answer 12

Exus
Pomba Giras
Preto Velhos
Caboclos
Zé Pilintra
Zombeteiros

Question 13

Exus

Answer 13

servants of the gods
neutral
open to spirit world

Question 14

Pomba Giras

Answer 14

female versions of Exus
Help with love and relationships - good and evil

Question 15

Preto Velhos

Answer 15

spirits of old wise black slaves
good because of suffering
Primary healing, cleansing, advice spirits
Great knowledge of herbal remedies

Question 16

Caboclos

Answer 16

native american, mixed blood, figures of folklore spirits
Enjoy smoking and drinking
associated with earth
don’t harm
diagnosing spiritual issues
spirit protectors

Question 17

Zé Pilintra

Answer 17

biggest spirit protector
party animals
possessions and animal sacrifices
good

Question 18

Zombeteiros

Answer 18

evil spirits that are like zombies
Look like cadavers
lost souls
evil magic

Question 19

Pirambu

Answer 19

the favela (slum) in Fortaleza.
work under the table

Question 20

Encosto

Answer 20

folk illness where a spirit is leaning on/attacking a person

Question 21

Encosto case studies

Answer 21

35 victims were interviewed for 37 separate cases.

Very severe physical & mental illnesses
3 cases blamed for extreme violent and disturbing behavior
* Mother stabbing daughter

Question 22

Results for encosto study

Answer 22

23 believed to be caused by intentional evil magic (witchcraft)
16 people believed it was caused because of jealousy
9 people believed it was by accident
4 people because of a failure to develop their virgunity(?)
13 people became members of the place they were treated
Pretty much no one went back if they were treated for curses
100% treatment success

Question 23

Lady who killed husband

Answer 23

kill herself. Black magic paid for

Question 24

Major Themes/Functions Magic

Answer 24

1. Explanation for illness and misfortunes
2. Treatment is a means of empowerment
3. Method of social control
4. Enhance the charismatic leader’s prestige and importance