Candomblé Bantu
Candomblé Bantu is one of the major branches of the Candomblé religious belief system in Brazil. It developed in the Portuguese Empire among Kongo and Mbundu slaves who spoke Kikongo and Kimbundu languages. The supreme and creative god is Nzambi. Below him are the Jinkisi or Minkisi, deities of Bantu mythology. These deities operate in the same manner as Olorun and the other orishas of the Yoruba religion. Minkisi is a Kongo language term: it is the plural of Nkisi, meaning "receptacle". Akixi comes from the Kimbundu language term Mukixi.
Etymology
The word "Bantu" means "people"; it is a combination of ba, a plural noun marker and -ntu, meaning "person". "Banto" was a generic term used by the Portuguese in Brazil to describe people who spoke Bantu languages.Pantheon
- Nzambi is the "sovereign master"; he created the earth, then withdrew from the world. Nzambi Mpungu remains responsible for rainfall and health.
- Aluvaiá is an intermediary between human beings and other Nkisi; he is additionally the protector of the houses.
- Nkosi Mukumbe is the Nkisi of roads, agriculture, and iron. He is associated with Ogun in Yoruba religion.
- Mutalambô
- Gongobira
- Katendê
- Loango
- Kaviungo
- Angorô and Angoroméa
- Kitembo
- Matamba
- Kisimbi
- Kaitumbá
- Zumbarandá
- Wunje
- Lembá Dilê