Batuque (religion)

Batuque is an Afro-Brazilian religion, practiced mainly in Brazil.^[1][2][3][4] The Batuque pantheon includes spirits rather than gods, who are mostly thought to come in two types: Orixás and encantados or guias (anthropomorphic spirits who "inhabit the tangible world" and mostly come from Brazil, although there are foreigners in their rank),^[4] like Candomblé religion, present in Bahia state in Brazil, mediumship and spirit possession are integral to Batuque worship.^[4]

History

The religion started in the city of Porto Alegre the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state by Custódio Joaquim de Almeida (his original name in his original country was "Osuanlele Okizi Erupê") in the late 19th or early 20th century and was referred to as "the Prince" by the people in the region, claming he was a deposed Oba (king) from Benin, the religion spread and are still present in Santa Catarina state, Recife and Belém cities in Brazil and even after his death in 1935 with 103 years old, the religion continued spreading through to Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.^[4]

See also

• Batuque (Brazil)