macumba
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Portuguese macumba (“macumba; curse”), from Kimbundu makôba (or a related Bantu language of western Central Africa).
Noun edit
macumba (plural macumbas)
- A type of Afro-Brazilian folk religion combining elements of Roman Catholicism with traditional African religious beliefs and practices; or a specific cult or ceremony of such religion. [from 20th c.]
- 1988, Jorge Amado, translated by Gregory Rabassa, Captains of the Sands, Penguin, published 2013, page 79:
- And later on at the Gantóis macumba, Omolu, bedecked in red, had said that the day of vengeance for the poor would not be long in coming.
French edit
Noun edit
macumba f (plural macumbas)
Portuguese edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Kimbundu makôba.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
macumba f (plural macumbas)
- a percussive musical instrument of African origin often used in traditional rituals
- any Afro-Brazilian religion, especially but not limited to Candomblé, Quimbanda, and Umbanda, so named after their use of the macumba and other African instruments
- (Brazil, by extension) a curse or hex, a malevolent spell, especially one performed in the context of Afro-Brazilian religions
- Synonym: maldição
- (Brazil, by extension) any spell or act of sorcery, especially one performed in the context of Afro-Brazilian religions for the benefit of someone
- (Brazil, by extension) offerings to the entities worshiped in those religions, often for the realization of a spell
- Synonym: despacho