|
|
|
|
|
Candombl KetuCandombl Ketu (or Queto in Portuguese spelling) is the largest and most influential nation (sect) of Candombl, an Afro-American religion widely practiced in Brazil. Its beliefs and rituals are similar to those of other Candombl nations in general terms, but different in almost every detail. Although related to the batuque cults that started in the late 1500s, Ketu developed mostly in the early 19th century, chiefly in the region of Bahia, among slaves belonging to the Yoruba (Iorub) ethnic group. Its origins are entwined with the religious and beneficent brotherhoods (irmandades) organized by the Catholic Church among ethnic Yoruba slaves, the Order of Our Lady of the Good Death (Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte), for women, and the Order of Our Lord of the Martyrdom (Nosso Senhor dos Martrios), for men. Deities Ketu deities are basically those of Yoruba mythology. Olorun (Olorum) is the supreme God, who created the spirits or Orishas (Orixs). The hundreds of orixs still worshiped in Africa were reduced to 16, of which only twelve are invoked in ceremonies: - Exu, Orix guardian of temples, houses, cities and people.
- Ogum, Orix of iron, war, fire, and technology.
- Oxssi, Orix of hunting and plenty.
- Loguned, young Orix of hunting, of rivers and fishermen.
- Xang, Orix of fire and thunder, protector of judges.
- Obaluai, Orix of skin diseases and plagues.
- Oxumar, Orix of rain and of the rainbow.
- Ossaim, Orix of herbal medicine.
- Oy or Ians, Orix (feminine) of wind, storms, and lightning, and of the Niger River.
- Oxum, Orix (feminine) of rivers, of gold, cowrie shell game, and love.
- Iemanj, Orix (feminine) of the seas, lakes, and fertility, mother of many Orixs.
- Nan, Orix (feminine) of marshes and death, mother of Obaluai.
- Ob, Orix (feminine) of the Ob River, one of Xang's wives.
- Ew, Orix (feminine) of the Ew River.
- Oxal, the most respected Orix, father of most other Orixs.
- Ibeji, Orix of twin children (ibi=born, eji=two)
- Iroc, Orix of the Sacred Tree. In Brazil, the sacred tree is a gameleira.
- Egungun, important ancestor cultuated after death in separate houses of the Orixs.
- Orumil or If, Orix of divination and destiny.
Ex is the intermediary to the other orixs, so the preparation of every Ketu ceremony begins with sacrifices to him, followed by sacrifices to the Orixs that are to be invoked. In Africa, each Orishas was typically associated to a certain country or city: Sng in Oy, Iemanj in the region of Egb, Ew in Egbado, Ogun in Ekiti and Ond, Oxum in Ijex and Ijebu, Erinl in Ilobu, Loguned in Ilex, Otin in Inix, Oxal-Obatal in If, divided into Oslfon in Ifan and sgiyan in Ejigb. In Candombl Ketu these local deities were combined into a single pantheon and can be worshipped at any temple throughout Brazil Ritual language The sacred language used in Ketu rituals (Iorub or Nag) is derived from the Yoruba language. The Ketu names of most cult-related concepts — ceremonial acts and objects, priestly ranks and ritual functions, ritual foods, etc. — are drawn from it. Hierarchy The main ranks of the Ketu priesthood, approximately in order of increasing authority, are: - Abi or Abian: novice.
- Ia: "child-of-saint"; may already incorporate Orixs.
- Ebmi (or Egbmi): "elder brother"; someone who completed the seven-year initiation.
- Iabass (woman): ritual food preparation.
- Agibon: "raising mother"; oversees initiation rites
- Ialax (women): takes care of ritual objects.
- Babaquequer (man): "little father of saint": assistant to head priests.
- Iaquequer (woman): "little mother of saint": assistant to head priests.
- Babalorix (man): "father-of-saint"; sometimes the head priest.
- Ialorix (or Iyalorix) (woman): "mother-of-saint"; usually the head priest.
The following additional posts assist at the ceremonies but do not incorporate Orixs: - Axogum: responsible for slaughtering animals.
- Alab: takes care of ritual drums and directs the music at rituals.
- Og(or Ogan): drum players.
- Ajoi (or Ekedi): chambermaid to the Orix.
Ekedi is actually the post of Candombl Jej corresponding to Ketu Ajoi, but it has gained common usage in Ketu houses as well. External links
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|