AguidetothehistoryandpracticeofKimbanda,theblackmagictraditionofBrazil-ExplainshowKimbanda’spresidingdeityEshuembodiesbothmasculineandfeminineprinciples,bothgodanddevil,andthusrepresentshumannatureitselfwithallitsvicesandvirtues-DiscussesKimbanda’smagicalpractices,initiationrites,sacredknives,andsacrificialofferings-DetailsthesevenrealmsandtheentitiesthatinhabitandgoverneachofthemAlthoughithasbeendemonizedasaformofSataniccult,Kimbanda--thetraditionofAfro-Brazilianblackmagic--isaspiritualpracticethatembracesboththelightanddarkaspectsoflifethroughworshipoftheentitiesknownasEshuandPombajira.ExploringthehistoryandpracticeofKimbanda,alsoknownasQuimbanda,DiegodeOx籀ssibuildsatimelinefromtheemergenceofAfro-Brazilianreligionsinthe17thcenturywhenAfricanslaveswerefirstbroughttoBrazil,throughthedevelopmentofOrishacultsandtheformationofCandombl矇,Batuque,Macumba,andUmbandareligiouspractices,tothemoderncodificationofKimbandabyM瓊eIedadoOguminthe1960s.HeexplainshowKimbanda’spresidingdeityEshuMayoralembodiesbothmasculineandfeminineprinciples,bothgodanddevil,andthusrepresentshumannatureitselfwithallitsvicesandvirtues.Discussingthemagicalpractices,initiationrites,andspirituallandscapeofKimbanda,theauthorexplainshowtherearesevenrealms,eachwithninedominions,andhediscussestheentitiesthatinhabitandgoverneachofthem.TheauthorexploresspiritpossessionandKimbanda’ssacrificialpractices,whichareperformedinordertohonorandobtaintheblessingoftheentitiesofthesevenrealms.Hediscussesthesacredknivesofthepracticeandtheroleeachplaysinit.Healsoexploresthe16zimbasymbolsandsigilsusedtoattractthespiritsmostapttorealizingthemagician’swillaswellastraditionalenchantmentsongstosummonandworkwiththosespirits.OfferinganaccessibleguidetoKimbanda,theauthorshowsthatthisreligionofthepeopleispopularbecauseitrecognizesthedarkandlightsidesofhumanmoralityandprovidesawaytointeractwiththedeitiestoproducedirectresults.DIEGODEOX?SSIisaChiefofKimbandaandOrishasPriest.Formorethan20yearshehasbeenresearchingandpresentingcourses,lectures,andworkshopsonpaganandAfrican-Brazilianreligions.HewritesaweeklycolumnatCoreSpirit.comandisthepublisheratAroleCultural.HelivesinS瓊oPaulo,Brazil.
