Types of macumba: Ebó, Padê, Despacho, crossroads and more!

When talking about macumba, a universe opens up. Much of what circulates are myths about African origin religions, which are distorted by various factors, such as racism, for example, in addition to, of course, a great lack of information.

What is understood as macumba is, in fact, the offerings that each job requires. Like us, each entity has a favorite food or object, so when work is done for him, he asks for it. But it’s not a seven-headed animal, no.

It is worth remembering that Yoruba religions are not bad, as many say out there. Much of the work and offerings are done to attract prosperity, love, peace, healing and, above all, protection.

Contrary to what it may seem, macumba is the name of several elements that, over the years, have been incorporated into the Yoruba religious base. Macumba is not just a name used pejoratively to talk about religions, it is, for example, a tree and a musical instrument. Check out more about the origin of the name and its bases present in religions, very present in Brazil!

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Macumba is a popular tree on the African continent, which is part of the lecithidae family, as well as the jequitibá, being considered a very noble wood for its longevity, preservation and also hardness.

As is common in Africa, the tree’s wood is used for many rites within the religions that exist there and, when they were brought here, during the slave period, they were incorporated into the religions that were established here. And, because of this wood, the name macumba is assimilated with religion, used mostly to refer to offerings.

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The Macumba instrument gets its name because it is made with the wood of the Macumba tree. It looks like a stick with some grooves that, with a drumstick that comes with it, is scratched and thus reproduces its sound.

It is used in Olodum, as well as in various parts of Candomblé and Umbanda. Dot are the chants sung for each entity, present in religions. They are a call to ask for protection and, of course, to ask for them in celebrations with incorporations.

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The dispatches are nothing more than the jobs offered to each entity. Yoruba religions are very connected to the elements of nature and, therefore, believe that the combination of some elements can provide things for those who offer them.

Furthermore, religions are polytheistic and each entity or orixá has its earthly predilections. For example, the orixá Oxum likes honey, melon, sugar and coconut water and, normally, requests made to her contain these things. It is important to ask someone already initiated what to offer each orixá or entity, because displeasing is never the idea.

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The crossroads is a place that has a special connection with the other world, which is why it is used to deposit offerings made, mainly for Exu and Pombagira. Typically this is the intersection between two streets without much traffic, although each entity needs a specific type of crossroads.

There the offerings are left. Usually, the advice is not to look back. Unfortunately, guided by prejudice, many people touch these offerings, kicking them and even throwing them in the trash. This even gives rise to the pejorative proverb ‘kicks that is macumba’, which derives from this.

The works are different because each entity and orisha has its own specifications. Furthermore, the way they are performed differs greatly from one ritual to the next, as they involve very different elements, falling short of the purpose of each one of them. Check out now some of the main types of rituals and how they are done and what their functions are!

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Bori or obori, as it is known by some, is a ritual whose function is to reduce the tension and anxiety of those who perform it. It is practically understood as a harmonic ritual, whose function is to organize spirituality. Made by Candomblé, which has the Búzios game as one of its bases, it is made in a unique way for each one.

The babalorixá, known as Pai or Mãe de Santo, plays the game of Búzios and thus knows what each person needs to achieve that peace of mind. Bori is one of the most important rituals within the religion, because it is done for your Ori (head orisha) and follows your individual needs, through a moment of faith and care.

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The padê is a ritual performed for Exu before any ceremony performed for another orixá. According to Yoruba tradition, this was a request made by Exu himself to the orixás. In the story, he requested that before everyone had their offerings received, he would have his, as a sort of toll. And since then, Exu’s will is respected and he receives his padê.

Normally, Exu receives, in these ceremonies, offerings such as drinks, some food and even the sacrifice of some animals. Exu is playful and the padê comes so that he does not interfere negatively with the intention and request of the ritual.

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The ebó is popularly known as the offerings. When you need to make a delivery to an orixá, you will make an ebó. They don’t necessarily have to involve some sacrifice. Many times, the protection and harmony ebos, depending on the responsible orisha, only contain fruits and legumes.

But anyone who thinks that the ebó is the offering is wrong, since the ritual requires dances, typical songs – the famous points, which are destined to the orixás and their stories. Ebó is really a very beautiful and very important moment within the Yoruba religions because it shows what is most colorful and beautiful within that space of faith.

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The dispatch is the delivery made to Exu, before any work is done. This delivery is deposited at a crossroads. It is important to say that it can be done both on cruises (that part where the cross of every cemetery is), woods that are not very busy, to avoid contact of other people with the order and, depending on the orixá, it can be done in rivers and seas. .

Usually, a guide is needed to make this type of delivery and, as each entity has appropriate colors and clothing, this person should use them. In most cases, dispatches use candles in symbolic colors and each job is done under supervision, which helps a lot who has to deliver it correctly.

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Each orixá has foods of his choice and they must be seasoned to his liking, so that he is never displeased with your delivery. For example, some orixás do not support that offered foods are seasoned with garlic or salt; others prefer it to have pepper and palm oil.

Some of these foods are even widely consumed by everyone, such as acarajé. The dish carries historical baggage about Xangô and his wives Oxum and Iansã. Iansã is even one of the orixás who most likes to receive them, but, as has already been said, they must be done with supervision so that everything is to the liking of the lady of the winds and storms.

When we talk about working with animals, it is worth saying that much of what is circulating around is a lie and that it should not be reproduced, because, in addition to being pejorative, they are racist in nature. Several religions practice animal sacrifices, such as Christianity at Christmas with a turkey, for example. Sacrifice is not torture, quite the contrary, it is a respectful ritual for the animal.

Keep reading to learn more about the types of rituals, how they happen and what the myths and truths are about them!

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Cats are kabbalistic animals that carry a spirituality that transcends religions. Widely used in Wiccan rituals, cats are always a subject for the occult. However, contrary to what many think, his relationship with macumba is not one of sacrifice, but rather as a spiritual guide.

It is valid to say that animals are not tortured in rituals of Yoruba religions, because suffering of any kind invalidates any and all rituals. If there is a sacrifice, the animal is killed in a respectful manner. Much of what circulates around, about mutilated animals, is torture and that’s all, without any relation to umbanda or candomblé.

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One of the most famous rituals, even if we don’t know for sure which religious doctrine it belongs to, the frog ritual is one of the most talked about and, according to mediums, one of the most dangerous. Basically, it consists of taking a live frog, putting the name and a picture of someone you want to harm and sealing the frog’s mouth.

However, there are several addendums about it. The first is that this type of ritual is set up as torture, because you subject the animal to extreme pain. The second point that must be taken into consideration is that the Law of Return is real and powerful. Doing something to hurt or even kill someone can have serious consequences for you and yours.

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Within the Yoruba religions, the black chicken is a fundamental element due to its symbology and importance to some orixás. Many of them have chicken as their favorite food and, when offered to them, they must be fresh. No chicken bought for the orixás.

Therefore, chicken sacrifice is common in some yards and houses that carry out these works. Besides, of course, some rituals use some of the animal’s blood. However, when the animal is killed, it is done in such a way that it suffers as little as possible, because otherwise it would not be accepted by the orixás.

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The pigeon also has a very important symbology in Yoruba religions, as, in addition to being the animal that represents the Holy Spirit, it can be used in some rituals for cleaning and protecting people protected by some orixás.

There is a very specific ritual, which uses two white pigeons to remove something bad from a person. In this rite, the blood of the animal is used, along with the feathers. A person is given a kind of crown from this, as well as cotton wool with honey, covering the entire circumference of the head.

Some objects are fundamental when we talk about rituals of Yoruba religions, others are only used in specific works, because they symbolize something bigger. For example, coins symbolize wealth and when used in rituals, it is to attract prosperity and fortune. Check out some objects and their spiritual meanings used in macumba!