Fios de contas are beaded necklaces worn by practitioners of Candomblé. These necklaces form an important part of their initiation and connection to their orishas. Their colours signify the orisha they belong to. These can necklaces can be made in one single strand or several, depending also on the practices of the temple. During one’s ascension in the hierarchy of the temple these necklaces can change in design but not affiliation. The wearing of these necklaces has a long tradition in Brazil, dating back to the 19th century coming through the transatlantic slave trade from the coast of West-Africa.
Quartinhas are little jars of clay or crockery which can be found in terreiros (temples) or private shrines for the Orishas. They serve as a vessel fo...
The Bermibau is one of the central instruments of Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art. Its origin can be traced back to Angola. This instrument, made wi...