Candomblé Bantu

Bantu, also called Batuque or Angola, is one of the major sects (nations) of Candomblé, an African faith tradition practiced in Brazil. It developed among slaves who spoke Bantu (Kikongo and Kimbundo) languages.

Deities

The supreme God and Creator is Nzambi (Zambi) ou Nzambi Mpungu (Zambiapongo); below him are the Nkisis, the spirit-gods of Bantu mythology. These deities correspond to Olorun and the Orishas of Yoruba mythology, and to Olorun and the Orixá of Candomblé Ketu.

The main Nkisis are:

• Aluvaiá, Bombojira, Pambu Njila: intermediary between humans and the other Inkices (cf. Exu). In his female manifestation, it is called Vangira.
• Nkosi Mukumbe, Roxi Mukumbe: Inkice of war and roads.
• Kabila, Mutalambô, Lambaranguange: hunter, lives in forests and mountains; god of plentiful food.
• Gongobira: young hunter and fisherman.
• Katendê: knows the secrets of medicinal herbs.
• Zaze, Loango: delivers justice to humans.
• Kaviungo or Kavungo, Kafungê, Kingongo: god of health and death.
• Angorô (male form) and Angoroméa (female): assist the communication between humans and deities.
• Kitembo ou Inkice Tempo: god of weather and seasons.
• Matamba (f), Bamburussenda (f), Nunvurucemavula (f): warrior, commands the dead.
• Kisimbi, Inkice Samba: the great mother; goddess of fertility, of lakes and rivers.
• Kaitumbá, Mikaiá, Kokueto: goddess of the sea.
• Zumbarandá: the eldest of the gods, connected to death.
• Wunje: the youngest of the Inkice, represents the happiness of youth.
• Lembá Dilê, Lembarenganga, Jakatamba, Kassuté Lembá, Gangaiobanda: connected to the creation of the world.

See also

• Candomblé Ketu
• Candomblé Jejé

External links

• Ritos de Angola (in Portuguese)

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