candomblé, n.
Brit. /ˌkandɒmˈbleɪ/, U.S. /ˌkɑndɑmˈbleɪ/
Forms: 19– candomblé, 19– candomble; Also with capital initial.
[‹ Brazilian Portuguese candomblé (1899); further etymology unknown.
Imitative origin has been suggested (see J. P. Machado Dicionário Etimológico da L{iacu}ngua Portuguesa (ed. 2, 1967) s.v. candomblé); for other suggestions connecting the word with African languages see G. M. Dalgish Dict. Africanisms (1982) at that entry.]
An Afro-Brazilian folk religion or cult based on traditional African religious practices modified by elements of Roman Catholicism and spiritualism. Also: a ceremony or ritual connected with this cult. Cf. macumba n.
| 1903 Jrnl. Amer. Folklore 16 132 The five chapters treat of: fetishistic theology; fetishistic liturgy..ceremonies, candomblés, sacrifices..conversion to Catholicism. 1941 Survey Graphic Mar. 181 The religious macumba or candomblé found in the morros (the hills) combines Catholicism with African and Indian magic rituals. 1983 Guardian Weekly 16 Jan. 12/5 Umbanda and candomble aren't considered to be on a par with Catholicism. 1991 P. Sweeney Virgin Directory World Music 238 This manifested itself in the boom in capoeira, in candomblé ceremonies and in the candomblé-related carnival bands known as afoxés. 2004 New Yorker 23 Aug. 56/3 Valgeir was sampling the sounds of wheels crunching over various wood implements, which had some significance in the Afro-Brazilian candomblé religion. |