The most honored orixás: -Exu - It is necessary to reserve the first place to him in any enumeration of the Candomblé divinities because it indeed represents the “god who opens the barriers”, supervises the passages, opens and closes the ways. -Ogum (Ogoun) - It is the orixá of agriculture, hunting and war. After discovering fire and the forge, he gave them as gifts to men. Its attribute is a small saber. (associated in the Catholic religion with Saint Antoine). -Oxóssi - It is the orixá of hunting and animals, abundance and food. Its attributes are a bow and an arrow. (associate in the Catholic religion in San Sebastian). -Obaluaiê ou Omolú - It is the orixá of earth, health and disease (synonymous with smallpox, its name should not be pronounced). In Bahia, Omolú is the orixá of illness and death. (associated in the Catholic religion with Saint Roch (patron of the plague), or Saint Lazare). -Xangó - It is the orixá of lightning, fire, thunders and justice. (associated in the Catholic religion with Saint Jean-Baptiste or Saint Jérôme). -Lansã - She is the goddess of Niger, she controls the winds and the storms. Its attribute is a small scimitar-shaped saber. (associated in the Catholic religion with Sainte Barbe). -Oxum - She is the goddess of river waters. She is the goddess of beauty and has a strong bond with the spiritual world. (associated in the Catholic religion with Nossa Senhora das Candeias).
-Lemanjá - She is the goddess of sea water, protects families, children and fishing. (associated in the Catholic religion with Our Lady of the Rosary). -Nanã ou Nana Buluku - It is also called Anamburucu and remains the oldest orixá. It governs mud, the raw material of men, and death.
She is venerable and healthy. -Oxalá - He is the oldest god, the one who molds and gives life to men, is the father of all and the orixá of peace. (Associated in the Catholic religion with the Senhor do Bonfim (lord "of the good end", protector who leads events to a happy conclusion). He is revered in Salvador de Bahia.
Le cult During the ceremonies, the orixas are invited to enter the terreiros, by means of drums, songs and dances, but also food, herbs and sacred incense. The first to be called is the Exix orixa, an unpredictable and mischievous messenger spirit, one that intervenes between believers and orixas. This spirit opens the way so that the orixas descend on earth.
Religious hierarchy
In the candomblé, the religious hierarchy is broken down into seven stages also called degrees.
Abiâ - Novice, beginner and inexperienced (initiation necessary in order to identify the orixa of the initiated member with different initiation rites (bori, orô et iaô).
Laô - During the dance and the ritual hymns, the orixa can manifest itself in the initiate by spasms or even bursts which can be sometimes violent. Only a babalorixa is qualified in the recognition of the orixa in question and thus allows the initiate to become "filho-de-santo".
Ebômi - Degree accessible only after the fulfillment of the obligations (dress only in white, eat with your hands, only sit on the ground) related to "filho-de-santo" lasting 7 years. They pledge allegiance to their orixa while promising to serve the community.
Labassê/Agibonâ - This degree of hierarchy is mainly divided into two branches: He generally considers the recognition of orixa as a fundamental element. Practitioners whose orixa has not been recognized can access the Labasse position (with responsibility for culinary preparations (as much for rites and ceremonies as for celebrations organized for the community).
For practitioners whose orixa has been recognized in a terreiro, the post of Agibonâ can be offered to them (and will be responsible for taking care of future filho-de-santo during the initiation ceremony.
Lalaxé - The Ialaxé is responsible for the offerings submitted to the different deities (offerings, which can come in different forms (food, objects) and which must correspond to the good deity). This requires excellent knowledge of the offering system.
Baba-quequerê/Laquequerê - They are the sub-commanders of the terreiro (and ensure the proper functioning of the terreiro always in consultation with the supreme commander, the babalorixa).
Babalorixa/Lalorixa - Ultimate stage of the candomblé hierarchy, he is responsible for commanding the terreiro. His religious functions are diverse and include the knowledge of sacred scriptures, the conduct of all ceremonies and rites as well as the practice of all religious liturgies of the entire candomblé.
Musical practice in candomblé
Ritual music is of great importance in candomblé. Indeed, it is considered not only as a means of honoring the deities but of getting back into direct contact with them.
Candomblé Ketu - It has its origin in the Yoruba ethnic group, mainly in the city of Kétou in Benin. Candomblé Angola - He comes from Angola, as the name suggests.
