White umbanda: differences and similarities of this umbanda line!

Do you know all the particularities involving white umbanda or pure umbanda? O brings all the information about this traditional aspect founded by Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas, Pai Antônio and Orixá Malê, through the medium Zélio Fernandino de Morais, between the years 1891 and 1975.

This is the main root that ramified other aspects of the religion, being the first and most traditional Umbanda, which began in 1908, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, by the Spiritist Tent Nossa Senhora da Piedade.

Next, get to know what it is, how it works, what are the similarities and other lines of umbanda, which have borne fruit in other various religious manifestations, such as white umbanda!

If you are wondering what white umbanda is, explains it to you in a simple and practical way. White umbanda is nothing more than a manifestation that originated religion. It is known as the most traditional and pure umbanda manifesto. It can also be known as pure umbanda.

This belief began in the metropolitan city of Rio de Janeiro, São Gonçalo, more precisely in the Spiritist Tent Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Before leaving for its aspects, see some curiosities about it:

– Sounds: in white umbanda, atabaques and drums are not used to manifest themselves through sounds.

– Clothing: members of this belief only wear white clothes – there are no accessories such as necklaces and headdresses, originating from traditional Umbanda.

– Exu: in white umbanda, Exu is the guardian of the terreiro.

– Smoking and Alcohol: there is no use of cigarettes, cigars or alcoholic beverages.

– Moorings and rituals with the intention of evil: in Umbanda Branca, no animal sacrifice, moorings or work of a harmful nature is performed.

Now that you know these details, you can start reading in depth the characteristics of this religion. Follow!

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Umbanda itself is a religion that has several lines, ranging from white umbanda to traditional umbanda. This belief is Brazilian, but there are African, Christian and indigenous influences. Religion began to manifest itself in southern Brazil, through the connection of other movements (Candomblé, Spiritism and Catholicism).

Umbanda worships orishas, who believe that spirits and entities work for the common good, in addition to traditional beliefs passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, spirituality is the main pillar of this religion, which has the date of November 15 as the day of its emergence, becoming official in Brazil only on May 18, 2012.

The word “umbanda” or “embanda” represents magic and the art of healing, and comes from the quimbunda language of Angola – an African country. The first African manifestations of religion in Brazil took place in the 17th century, through slaves, who formed drumming circles in the slave quarters to play atabaque and dance.

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Umbanda religion holds 7 lines. It’s like there are topics that are part of its structure. Each line has a definite purpose, driven with a vibration that involves the lives of all human and spiritual beings.

See what each line of umbanda means:

– Religious Line (Oxalá) – represents the reflection of the divine (God), spirituality and faith;

– Linha do Povo d’água (Iemanjá) – brings the power of the sea;

– Line of Justice (Xangô and São Jerônimo) – relates justice and reason;

– Line of Demands (Ogum) – protector of warriors, stimulant of order and balance;

– Caboclos Line (Oxóssi and São Sebastião) – explores knowledge, doctrine and catechesis;

– Line of Children (Iori: Cosme and Damião) – symbolizes children of all races;

– Line of Pretos-Velhos or Almas (Yorimá and São Benedito) – primate spirits who fought evil.

Umbanda lines are represented by Orishas who have a mission in the universe, whether to help, guide, advise or do work that impacts an individual, negatively or positively.

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White umbanda originates from the elitist Macumba group in Rio de Janeiro, created by Zélio Fernandino de Morais, an important Brazilian medium. In the beginning, the central idea was to get rid of old precepts and concepts that originated umbanda.

The main foundation of this branch is the pretos-velhos, caboclos and children, interconnected to the spiritist theories of Allan Kardec. For many, white umbanda represents the beginning of religion, reforming the Macumba rituals persuaded by Kardecist Spiritism.

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According to their concepts, white umbanda works differently from traditional umbanda: the religion does not use sacrifices, rituals and bindings in favor of evil. There are also other characteristics that make them different, such as clothes, sounds and devices.

Among the definitions of white umbanda, we can highlight the absence of atabaque, tobacco, drinks, accessories used by mediums, financial charges and work aimed at negativity.

In addition, we can emphasize that white umbanda emerged through communities with good purchasing power and this considerably influences its followers. However, over the years, this religion has gained new followers and, nowadays, has a diverse audience.

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White Umbanda, like the traditional Umbanda, also has spiritual entities in carrying out work, advice and help. In this branch, the spirits are the same: one can notice the presence of pretos-velhos, caboclos and children.

In addition, the entities of white umbanda are: Oxalá, Oxum, Oxossi, Xangô, Ogun, Obaluaiê, Yemanjá, Oyá, Oxumaré, Obá, Egunitá, Yansã, Nanã and Omolu.

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The branch of umbanda, in its pure version, presents more differences than similarities in its attributes, but it is worth mentioning some points in common between the two religious manifestations.

In this way, the main similarities are spirituality as a central point (advice and works), the use of white clothes in meetings and the entities (in both, the spirits are the same).

White umbanda is a division of umbanda, being a milder version of the belief. The main differences to point out between the two are the ways and customs that differ. In its pure version, religion is a tool to carry out social projects, help people, give advice and help maintain the spirituality of individuals.

In addition to this focal point, in white umbanda, the role of Exu is reinterpreted and the atabaque is not played, necklaces are not worn, money is not asked, there are no sacrifices, there is no use of drinks and alcohol and it includes many other reinvented customs. Check out the differences below!

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The sounds, drums and dances are the most popular among umbanda, being one of the first perceptions we have when talking about this belief. However, in white umbanda, this manifestation does not occur that way.

Mediums, spiritists and any other members do not usually use music as an expression of faith within terreiros and in meeting centers.

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If you are familiar with those accessories that are common in Umbanda, such as necklaces and large, showy headdresses, you should know that these devices used by mediums in the traditional way are absent. In pure umbanda, the faithful do not use these accessories to complete their clothes.

In fact, what is used are only white clothes, not colorful and flashy fabrics, as in the original umbanda.

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When going to an Umbanda meeting, you have certainly come across the entities consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking cigars or cigarettes. Well, in white umbanda, this is not seen. In fact, any consumption of alcohol within the terreiro is completely prohibited.

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In Umbanda’s white lineage, Exu’s role is different. One of the most popular and main Orixás of this religion, in its pure version, is just the guardian of the terreiro. Some people still believe that Exu is just a more evolved being than human beings.

On the other hand, already in the traditional version of the belief, Exu is a figure that can be incorporated by mediums.

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You must have already seen those posters spread around the city with the following sentence: “I’ll bring the person back in 24 hours”. Well then, this definitely involves money, so that a medium does this work for you, following some Umbanda precepts.

In pure umbanda, this does not happen, because, in this branch, no spiritual work is required. It is extremely forbidden to charge money in any situation.

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If you worship moorings or negative work, white umbanda is not the ideal place to do this, as this line is not adept at these practices, which cause and negatively impact the life of an animal or a person.

For this religion, spirituality is explored to bring benefits to people’s lives, without causing any harm to an individual. That is, in these spaces, actions will be directed towards the good of individuals.

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We can classify white umbanda as a milder version of traditional umbanda, being a purer alternative to religion, indicated for those who seek medium spirituality as a support of faith.

Therefore, the spiritual factor is the key point for the activities carried out inside and outside the terreiros. Spirits perform work, give advice and suggest paths for those who seek an answer, a solution or help through faith.

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One of the most admirable points of white umbanda is the issue of investments in social and volunteer work. Many Members who attend meetings donate food, clothing, shoes, lunchboxes and other utensils to those in need.

In addition, mediums use the power of spirituality to help people, either with advice, alerts or simply calming the heart of those in need.

In addition to pure umbanda, this traditional religion has other lines of behavior and manifestations, which form branches that have developed from the faith and spirituality of this religion.

Below, see more details of these other aspects, which are umbanda mirim, umbanda popular, umbanda omolocô, umbanda almas and Angola and umbandomblé!