Ewé Igbo: árvores sagradas do Candomblé no contexto socioambiental

Abstract

The african-brazilian religions are based on the African worldview, where the Orishas and nature represent a single being. Thus, as an integral part of this context, the trees play a key role in the life of religious communities, by providing them ritualistic and symbolic values. This study aims to know which tree species that represent sacred symbols within the Candomblé liturgy, seeking religious histories related to their trees. The survey was conducted in three Candomblé houses located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In order to conduct the survey free interviews were used, with semi-structured questions about the liturgy of the worshiped trees. The witness material was collected following the usual techniques in botany and was incorporated into the herbal RFFP and RB. Were identified 34 species, corresponding to 32 ethnospecies. Research has shown that in liturgical practices, trees correspond to the household of the Orishas, with their trunks adorned by ojás (white or colored cloths) to demonstrate its sacredness. These trees have a significant value when it comes to religious identity because there show the space as a sacred place and worship of the deities. The myth of the "World Tree" is represented by the African species Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem., which symbolizes the union between the Àiyé and Òrun through its sacred trunk. The Apáòká (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. - jackfruit) can be associated to various Orishas, however it presence is directy linked a specific phytomorphic deity, considered mother of the Orisha Oxossi. The Orisha Iroko (Ficus spp.) uses the tree as his home, and his cult is related to the physical presence of this sacred plant. Fruit trees are important instruments of worship, indicating the strong liturgical value that some fruits have as obligations of the Orishas. Seeds are also used in religious precepts among them Obi (Cola acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott & Endl.), associated with Orumilá, the Orisha of divination, that is thrown over a white plate so that the position in which it fall gives us a response to a query. The àjóbi (Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) is a tree related to the Orisha Ossain, its leaves and branches used to adorn and dress Ossain on feast days. Among the studied species 59% are exotic coming mainly from Africa and Asia; 41% are native species of Brazil. One of these is endemic to the state of Rio de Janeiro, the quaresmeira (Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn.) devoted to Nana because of the lilac petals of its flowers. Some cited exotic species are considered invasive and can cause environmental problems. The Candomblé houses are an important identity space and ransom memory of culture and african-Brazilian religiosity, based on the communion with the elements. The strength of the Orishas is directly linked to the natural territory. In this sense the ritualistic practice preaches the care and respect for the environment, showing that nature and religion are inseparable.