Ritual use of herbs, points, and firmzas

What it is: Umbanda uses herbs, candles, pemba, drawn points, sung points, and firmzas as important ritual resources.

How the religion understands it: These elements help open paths, sustain protection, order works, settle forces, and translate sacred language in the terreiro space.

Basis and context: Such practices combine Afro-Brazilian tradition, ritual creativity, and house transmission.

Debates and variations: The intensity, repertoire, and explanation of these elements differ significantly among currents.

Supportive

Drawn Signs and Pemba in Terreiro Tradition

umbanda,drawn-signs,pemba,firming

Drawn signs help order and mark spiritual works.

Reference: Oral tradition and ritual practice concerning drawn signs and pemba.
Content: The markings and signs are used for firmness, protection, opening, and the identification of lines in certain ritual contexts.
Use in debate: It is an important source for ritual firmings and Umbanda's ritual language.

Oral Tradition of Passes and Spiritual Cleansing

umbanda,passes,cleansing,baths,smudging

Spiritual care is organized through practices of cleansing and balance.

Reference: Oral tradition of passes, cleansings, baths, and smudging in terreiros.
Content: These practices aim to cleanse, strengthen, harmonize, and guide the person receiving care.
Use in debate: It is important for spiritual healing, charity, and ritual mediation.

Umbanda Sung Points

umbanda,sung-points,liturgy,oral-tradition

Sung points express practical theology, memory, and ritual summoning.

Reference: Repertoires of sung points preserved orally and in Umbandist songbooks.
Content: The points salute lines, open ritual works, identify entities, and transmit religious memories in condensed form.
Use in debate: They are a very important internal source for liturgy, entities, and the gira.