Empathy and Umbanda
Fernando Carlucci, Daniel de Luca‐noronha
Religions August 13, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/rel15080982 via OpenAlex
Summary
In the Brazilian Umbanda religion, empathic exchanges between practitioners and spirits, especially the pretos velhos (spirits of old slaves), are central to rituals. These interactions facilitate communal healing and personal transformation. The article argues that such empathy is not merely psychological but deeply rooted in physical and social embodiment, drawing on predictive processing theory and embodied cognition. Umbanda thus functions as both a spiritual practice and a socio-cultural mechanism for navigating personal and collective challenges, exemplifying how religion can promote social cohesion and introspection.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Empathic interactions in Umbanda rituals are deeply rooted in physical and social embodiment, serving as a conduit for communal healing, personal transformation, and social cohesion. |
Abstract
This article explores the intricate interplay between empathy and religious experience within the Brazilian Umbanda religion. Umbanda is a syncretic faith that integrates elements from African spiritual practices, Catholicism, and Kardecist spiritism, reflecting the diverse cultural and social dynamics of Brazilian society. The religion emphasizes communication with spirits, particularly the pretos velhos—spirits of old slaves—who are revered for their wisdom and connection to the divine. These spirits engage with practitioners through mediums in rituals held in terreiros, offering guidance and comfort. Central to our discussion is the concept of embodied empathy, which is vital for understanding the deep emotional connections between the practitioners and the spirits. We seek to understand why Umbanda rituals are not just spiritual sessions, but profound empathic exchanges that facilitate communal healing and personal transformation. Through the lens of the predictive processing theory and the concept of embodied cognition, we argue that these empathic interactions are not just psychological but are deeply rooted in the physical and social embodiments of the participants. This perspective helps in understanding how Umbanda serves both as a spiritual practice and a socio-cultural mechanism that aids individuals in navigating their personal and collective life challenges. The empathy experienced within Umbanda rituals exemplifies how religion can serve as a powerful conduit for social cohesion and personal introspection.