Batala Washington members were interviewed for this episode of Interfaith Voices, a national public radio program about faith and social justice.
The theme for the episode is about Brazil’s changing religious landscape as Pentacostalism continues to grow beyond traditional Catholicism and become more contentious against Afro-Brazilian religions (Candomble, Umbanda, Macumba).
The last section of the episode features Batala Washington.
August 16 is generally when many celebrate the feast for Omolu/Obaluayê (who is associated with St. Lazarus and St. Roche).
Obaluayê (oh-baloo-ai-YAY) is the praise name meaning “King of the Earth” and is strongly associated with infectious disease and healing, as well as the earth itself. Legend has it that Obaluayê was born to Nanã Buruku who abandoned him as a baby as he had wounds all over his body. Yemanjá found him and covered him in straw and took care of him as her own. Because of that, he became the orixá of diseases and the healing of them. Also referred to as Omolu, meaning “son of the Lord of Heaven”, the orixá’s face is thought to be so scarred by disease and so terrifying that he appears covered with a raffia/straw masquerade that covers his whole body. “Atotô” is said to greet this orixa, and grains and popcorn are common offerings.
Maria Escolástica da Conceição Nazareth was one of the most important mães de santo (iyalorixá or priestess of orixá) of the Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomblé. She was born in Salvador, BA in 1894 and for 64 years, she led the Candomblé house Ilé Ìyá Omi Àse Ìyámasé, located in Salvador in the neighborhood of Gantois. Mãe Menininha do Gantois, as she was called, became nationally known and well-respected for her kindness and affection. Her fight for the legalization of the office based religion and the consequent integration of religion in national society also made her respected by all. At the time that she inherited the position of mãe de santo at a young age, it was not easy to lead a terreiro (Candomblé house of worship) due to the persecution the religion suffered by the authorities in those days. Menininha, however, promoted the value of the religion and its integration into local society, obtaining the license to worship the orixás in 1930. Mãe Menininha died in 1986 at age 92. Her funeral was one of the greatest processions in Bahia. All mourned the death of one of the most beloved women of Brazil. Iba e Mãe Menininha!
Yemanjá (sometimes spelled Iemanjá), also known as the “Rainha do Mar (Queen of the Sea)”, is a Yoruba deity. In the Candomblé religion, she represents the salt waters (ocean and sea). In Bahia, the biggest party for Yemanjá occurs on February 2, when thousands of people dress in white and go to the beach of Rio Vermelho singing, dancing, and depositing offerings such as baskets of flowers, mirrors, jewelry, food, perfumes, and other objects to receive blessings and prosperity for the year ahead. Offerings which do not return to shore are deemed accepted. Yemanjá is connected to the Christian Mary, Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (Our Lady of Seafarers), whose Catholic feast day is on February 2.
