Religious syncretism in Brazil

thumb|right|An Umbandista wearing the white clothing typically worn in the religion's ceremonies

Macumba () is a generic term for various Afro-Brazilian religions, the practitioners of which are then called macumbeiros. These terms are generally regarded as having negative connotations, comparable to an English term like "black magic". In a broader sense, the term Macumba is used for most Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, including Candomblé and Umbanda. In a more limited sense, macumba is used only to characterize traditions like Quimbanda that revolve around the lesser exu spirits, especially as they are practiced in Rio de Janeiro. Some practitioners of Afro-Brazilian traditions cal

syncretic religion

thumb|right|Statue of an exú, one of the spirits that are central to Quimbanda Quimbanda, also spelled Kimbanda (), is an Afro-Brazilian religion practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil.

Argentine folk saint and cult image

Brazilian religion

figure in Brazilian mythology

right|thumb|300px|Candomblé|Candomblean Iyalorishás [[Olga de Alaketu and Stella de Oxóssi with Gilberto Gil, a Brazilian singer and former Minister of Culture.]]