What Is Candomblé? Beliefs and HistoryBy Lisa Jo Rudy
Updated on August 05, 2019
Candomblé (meaning "dance in honor of the gods") is a religion that combines elements from African cultures including the Yoruba, Bantu, and Fon, as well as some elements of Catholicism and indigenous South American beliefs. Developed in Brazil by enslaved Africans, it is based on oral tradition and includes a wide range of rituals including ceremonies, dance, animal sacrifice, and personal worship. While Candomblé was once a "hidden" religion, its membership has grown significantly and is now practiced by at least two million people in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela,