Saberes ancestrais sobre o uso ritualístico e medicinal de flores no Candomblé da Nação Angola e na Umbanda

Abstract

It is estimated that the forced African diaspora brought around 4.9 million enslaved people of different ethnicities to Brazil. Among these, most are from the Banto people. When reference is made to the Candomblé of the Angolan Nation, that of origin in the Banto culture, the reference is automatically made to the cult of the Minkisi. In this Candomblé, religious syncretism was present in a different way from other diasporic peoples. In addition to the cult of the Minkisi, the Angolan Nation also worships its ancestors and the Caboclos, the owners of the land. From this condition, the Candomblé of Angola was the first to syncretize, opening the doors to the deities that would later manifest themselves in Umbanda. Descendants of diverse african peoples propagated their religious beliefs and traditions, reinforcing the rich knowledge about plants inherited from their ancestors. Flowers are also part of this universe, where countless species have been tested by healers and sorcerers, according to their medicinal and ritualistic properties. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate popular knowledge about the medicinal and ritual use of flowers in Umbanda and Candomblé of the Angolan Nation, with a view to understanding the historical correlation that unites these two religions and cataloging the species of flowers that are used in terreiros. Action-research was adopted as a strategy, in which the leaders of the Candomblé terreiro Tumba Junsara Petit and the Casa de Caridade Caboclas Jurema e Jupira were interviewed. In religions of African origin, leaves are given greater prominence in worship and in religious medicine. Flowers are also used, but their functions are little explored. The medicinal use of flowers is more restricted than the ritual. It is also necessary to consider that for Afro-religions the medicinal character does not apply only to the physical plane, but also to the spiritual. Thus, flowers assume a symbolic aspect in this healing process, condensing the energies emanated by the deities, especially Kavungo, the one who protects humanity against evils and heals its wounds. Flowers work by harmonizing the environment with their colors and perfumes, concentrating the forces of the deities and symbolically promoting their connection with those initiated in the religions in focus. Although Umbanda is related in its genesis to the Candomblé of the Angola nation, it has further expanded the ritualistic use of flowers. Incorporated to the cult, both native and exotic species that are marketed as ornamental and easy to be acquired.