araría

Arará is a term used in Brazil to describe a lineage and set of Afro-Brazilian religious practices within the broader tradition of Candomblé. It refers to a distinct “nación” or community identity that developed among West African-descended populations in the Brazilian Atlantic world, particularly in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, and later spread to other urban areas.

Origins and history

The Arará tradition traces its roots to enslaved Africans brought to Brazil from regions of West Africa around the Gulf of Guinea, including groups such as Fon and Ewe-speaking communities. Over time, Arará developed its own liturgy, ritual language, and drumming styles that differentiated it from other Candomblé nations, such as Ketu (Yorubá) and Angola. The formation of Arará communities occurred primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries, amid broader processes of cultural preservation and adaptation under Brazilian religious life.

Beliefs and practices

Arará is one of several nations within Candomblé. Its ceremonies typically feature drumming ensembles, song, dance, and ritual performances in which practitioners may enter trance or possession to embody orixás (deities) and other spiritual entities. Terreiros (temples) are led by religious specialists, often described as babalorixás or iyalorixás, who guide rites, initiations, and community life. Syncretism with Catholic saints is common across many Brazilian Afro-Brazilian religions, and Arará practices contribute to the country’s broader religious and cultural landscape.

Cultural significance

Today, Arará communities are most visible in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, and they play a significant role in the preservation and adaptation of Afro-Brazilian religious culture, music, dance, and art.