Working spiritual entities

Caboclos, pretos-velhos, crianças, exus, and other entities act in different lines.

77%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: Umbanda works with spiritual entities that manifest in distinct lines, such as caboclos, pretos-velhos, crianças, boiadeiros, marinheiros, exus, and pombagiras, among others.

How the religion understands it: These entities guide, cleanse, advise, sustain ritual works, and express specific spiritual pedagogies.

Basis and context: The classification of lines is a constitutive part of terreiro life and ritual language.

Debates and variations: The organization of lines, their theology, and the status of certain entities vary considerably among currents.

Supportive

Oral Tradition of the Caboclos

umbanda,caboclos,oral-tradition,lines

Caboclos are prominent lines of strength, healing, and guidance.

Reference: Oral tradition and songs linked to the caboclos.
Content: The caboclos appear as entities of firmness, the forest, courage, healing, and spiritual direction.
Use in debate: It is a central source for entities and the Umbanda gira.

Oral Tradition of the Exus and Pombagiras

umbanda,exus,pombagiras,oral-tradition,protection

Lines of protection, the crossroads, practical truth, and spiritual confrontation.

Reference: Oral tradition, sung points, and terreiro teachings about exus and pombagiras.
Content: These entities work in fields of protection, the opening of paths, cleansing, and the confrontation of spiritual demands, in a key that does not reduce them to absolute evil.
Use in debate: It is a decisive source for understanding lines that are often misunderstood from the outside.

Oral Tradition of the Pretos-Velhos

umbanda,pretos-velhos,oral-tradition,charity

Narratives and songs about entities of wisdom, patience, and moral healing.

Reference: Oral tradition and sung points associated with the pretos-velhos.
Content: These entities are associated with counsel, humility, listening, healing, and the historical memory of suffering and resistance.
Use in debate: It is an important source for working entities and charity.

Neutral

Pew and Brazilian Research on Afro Religions and Flexible Affiliation

umbanda,sociology,religious-mobility,plurality

Data show plural identities and religious mobility.

Reference: Sociological research on Afro-Brazilian religions, religious mobility, and flexible affiliation in Brazil.
Content: The data suggest that Umbanda coexists with multiple trajectories, double belonging, and fluid identities in some contexts.
Use in debate: It is useful for the plurality of currents and the religion's social insertion.