Orixá Opens the Door,Will You Walk Through?

A tale… A child of Orixá asked his Orixá for a job and a woman who would love him very much.  The next day, he opened the newspaper and saw a job announcement.  He went, saw the long line and said, “They’re better than me…” and he left. On his way back on the bus,

What Does Candomblé Believe in, Anyway?

by Melissa Most people who find their way to Candomblé are already at least slightly familiar with Orixá or Yoruba culture and religion.  As Candomblé grows in the United States, however, many people are learning about the religion through exposure to Afro-Brazilian culture; samba, capoeira, music classes, etc. without a religious connection.  Candomblé doesn’t have a

Folhas Encantadas: a Documentary

Unfortunately, this documentary is in Portuguese and doesn’t have subtitles.  In it, Mãe Stella and other mães from Ilê Axé Opô Afonjá discuss the importance of herbs within Candomblé and share songs and myths associated with specific herbs.  The documentary is an extension of sorts of the book O Que as Folhas Cantam published by