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Bantu, also called Batuque or Angola, is one of the major sects (nations) of Candomblé, an Afro-American religion practised in Brazil. It developed among slaves who spoke Bantu (Kikongo and Kimbundo) languages.
Deities
The supreme God and Creator is Zambi or Zambiapongo; below him are the Inkices, the spirit-gods of Bantu mythology. These deities correspond to Olorun and the Orishas of Yoruba mythology, and to Olorum and the Orixá of Candomblé Ketu.
The main Inkices 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
External links
- Ritos de Angola (http://www.ritosdeangola.com.br/) (in Portuguese)