Syncretism and africanity in the Umbanda Omolokô

Abstract

This article explores the complex relationship between Umbanda and Africanity, as part of the intricacy of Brazilian identity construction. Following an extensive presentation of contemporary Umbanda's complex rituals, the text proceeds to detail the reasons for the formation of different Umbanda currents, specifically focusing on the division between "White Umbanda" and Umbanda Omolokô. On one hand, White Umbanda denies Africanism in its practices, such as the use of the atabaque drum, animal sacrifices, or lengthy and complicated initiations. The de-Africanisation and whitening of the Umbandist religion can be considered strategies that socially repositioned the religion and allowed for the blurring of established boundaries for Macumbas, due to religious racism, favouring the approach of the middle classes. These classes turned to Afro-Brazilian religions as a means of expressing their own class interests, social and political ideas, values, and civilising ideals. On the other hand, a minority Umbanda Omolokô movement asserted the black origin of Umbanda, with terreiros acquiring new prominence by delving deeper into the subject of ancestral roots.