Learn all about the role of gypsies in Umbanda

The African religions practiced in Brazil originated in Africa, in the region called Yorubaland. The Gypsy people, on the other hand, originated in some region of Asia, most likely in India, and spread throughout the world. Being such distant peoples, why does Umbanda have so many gypsy entities? Discover now all about the gypsies in Umbanda.

The mix of peoples explained the gypsies in Umbanda

Gypsies have crossed many countries and continents since their emergence in the 13th century. They passed through Europe, where they established a strong community, until arriving in South America, most notably in Brazil.

In these wanderings around the world, they shared their beliefs, culture and secrets. They are a people very connected to spirituality and they are guardians of many secrets of occultism and magic.

Gypsy culture was already reasonably well established in Brazil when the descendants of enslaved people created Umbanda. This typically Brazilian religion mixed African, Catholic and Spiritist rituals to form its own dogmas.

Thus, it is not surprising that Umbanda has also absorbed some characteristics of Gypsy religions. And that’s how the gypsy line in Umbanda started.

The creation of gypsies in Umbanda

It is worth remembering that, at the beginning of the 20th century, when Umbanda emerged, blacks lived on the margins of society, excluded and, at best, only tolerated.

The same happened (and still happens) with the gypsy peoples in Brazil. Also excluded and marginalized, they identified with blacks and began to create a spiritual bond.

This bond was materialized mainly through the absorption, in Umbanda, of the spiritual entities worshiped by gypsies. Reinforcing this union, gypsy entities – such as Cigana das Almas, Cigana do Cruzeiro, etc. – began to be present in Umbanda terreiros.

Spiritual entities were attracted by the playing of atabaques, for which they have great appreciation. That’s why it’s common, in terreiros, ceremonies with many atabaques to attract gypsy spirits in Umbanda.

Another point of connection between African culture and Gypsy culture is the patron saint of the Gypsy people: Santa Sara Kali. Sara is a gypsy entity with dark skin, considered by Europeans as black, hence her sympathy for Candomblé and Umbanda.

Worship of Gypsies in Umbanda

The cult of gypsies in Umbanda is still rare. Most houses do not work with these entities. Thus, gypsies tend to appear in a few houses, despite the fact that they go to almost all of them in secret.

Some terreiros even have days of the week dedicated to gypsies. They are worshiped with wine, water, sweets and fruits. The female gypsy entities are quite vain, while the male ones value masculinity and virility “the old fashioned way”.

When they appear to a medium, gypsy entities usually speak a mixture of Portuguese and Spanish (gypsy people lived in Spain for many years). Despite not being doctors, gypsies in Umbanda are called very often to perform spiritual healings.

Female entities, on the other hand, are favorites for those who need help or advice in their love life, especially in cases of forbidden, impossible loves, or even in the case of infidelity.

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