Bantu, also called Batuque or Angola, is one of the major sects (nations) of Candomblé, an Afro-American religion practised in Brazil. It developed among slaves who spoke Bantu (Kikongo and Kimbundo ) languages.

Deities

The supreme God and Creator is Zambi or Zambiapongo ; below him are the Inkices , the spirit-gods of Bantu mythology . These deities correspond to Olorun and the Orishas of Yoruba mythology, and to Olorum and the Orixá of Candomblé Ketu.

The main Inkices are:

• Aluvaiá , Bombojira , Pambu Njila : intermediary between humans and the other Inkices (cf. Exu). In his female manifestation, it is called Vangira .
• Nkosi Mukumbe , Roxi Mukumbe : Inkice of war and roads.
• Kabila , Mutalambô , Lambaranguange : hunter, lives in forests and mountains; god of plentiful food.
• Gongobira : young hunter and fisherman.
• Katendê : knows the secrets of medicinal herbs.
• Zaze , Loango : delivers justice to humans.
• Kaviungo or Kavungo , Kafungê , Kingongo : god of health and death.
• Angorô (male form) and Angoroméa (female): assist the communication between humans and deities.
• Kitembo ou Inkice Tempo : god of weather and seasons.
• Matamba (f), Bamburussenda (f), Nunvurucemavula (f): warrior, commands the dead.
• Kisimbi , Inkice Samba : the great mother; goddess of fertility, of lakes and rivers.
• Kaitumbá , Mikaiá , Kokueto : goddess of the sea.
• Zumbarandá : the eldest of the gods, connected to death.
• Wunje : the youngest of the Inkice, represents the happiness of youth.
• Lembá Dilê , Lembarenganga , Jakatamba , Kassuté Lembá , Gangaiobanda : connected to the creation of the world.

See also

• Candomblé Ketu
• Candomblé Jejé

External links

• Ritos de Angola (in Portuguese)