Macumba is an umbrella term that embraces two principal forms of African spirit worship
– Candomble and Umbanda »
• Candomble ceremonies start with invocations to the gods, prayers, offerings and possession of the faithful by the gods.
• Umbanda incorporates the worship of the Catholic saints along with the beliefs of the Brazilian Indians.
Macumba is often referred to as black magic.
But this aspect is really more the system known as Quimbanda, whose practitioners simply draw their power from unpredictable spirits.
This work is more mischievous, and therefore Quimbanda is seen as tainted.
One Macumban celebration held on 1 January, is where more than a million celebrants wade into the ocean at dusk and a priestess known as mao de santo (mother of the saint, therefore drawing parallels with the Virgin Mary) lights candles and then purifies and ordains other young priestesses.
As the Sun goes down, celebrants decorate a tiny wooden boat with candles, flowers and figures of the saints.
At midnight the boat is set sail from the shore; if the boat sinks, Yemanji, a water goddess, has heard their prayers and accepted their offering, promising her support and guidance for another year.
Source
Macumba
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