Candomblé Bantu (also calledCandomblé Batuque orAngola) is one of the major branches (nations) of theCandomblé religious belief system inBrazil. It developed in thePortuguese Empire amongKongo andMbundu slaves who spokeKikongo andKimbundu languages. The supreme and creative god isNzambi (also called Nzambi Ampungu and Nzambi Mpungu). Below him are the Jinkisi or Minkisi, deities of Bantu mythology. These deities operate in the same manner asOlorun and the otherorishas of theYoruba religion. Minkisi is a Kongo language term: it is the plural ofNkisi, meaning "receptacle". Akixi comes from theKimbundu language term Mukixi.[1]
The word "Bantu" means "people"; it is a combination ofba, a plural noun marker and-ntu, meaning "person". "Banto" was a generic term used by the Portuguese in Brazil to describe people who spokeBantu languages.[2]
Nzambi is the "sovereign master"; he created the earth, then withdrew from the world. Nzambi Mpungu remains responsible for rainfall and health.[3]
Aluvaiá (also Bombo Njila, Pambu Njila, Nzila, Mujilo, Mavambo, Vangira, Njila, Maviletango) is an intermediary between human beings and other Nkisi; he is additionally the protector of the houses.
Nkosi Mukumbe (also Hoji Mukumbi, Panzu, Xauê) is the Nkisi of roads, agriculture, and iron. He is associated withOgun in Yoruba religion.
^Giroto, Ismael (1999).O Universo Mágico-Religioso Negro-Africano e Afro-Brasileiro: Bantu e Nàgó. Departamento de Antropologia da Faculdade de Filosofia, Letra e Ciencias Humanas da Universidade de São Paulo.doi:10.11606/T.8.1999.tde-20062011-140307.