Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
orixa
Noun
/oˈriʃɐ/
Definition
Orixa is a term generally used to refer to a deity or spirit in the Afro-Brazilian religions, particularly in Candomblé and Umbanda.
Examples
- The worship of orixas is central to many Brazilian cultural events.
- In Candomblé, each orixa has its own rituals and offerings.
- The orixa Oxum is associated with rivers and freshwater.
Meaning
In these religious contexts, orixas are revered as intermediaries between humans and the supreme god, each representing various elements of nature, human traits, and ancestral spirits.
Synonyms
- Deity
- Spirit
- Divinity