Book Review
Traditional Brazilian Black Magic:
The Secrets of the Kimbanda Magicians
by Diego de Oxóssi
Destiny Books
128 Pages
Publication date: August 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diego de Oxossi, a Chief of Kimbanda and an Orishas Priest, details the tradition of Afro-Brazilian black magic. Although it’s been demonized, Kimbanda is a spiritual practice embracing both the light and dark aspects of life through worshiping the entities Eshu and Pombajira.

The book is written in a scholarly fashion, with references, documentation, and examples. Before the introduction are three pages about African and Portuguese vocabulary used in the book. While I find foreign languages intimidating, other readers will appreciate the detail, precision, and authenticity it brings.

Oxossi explains the phenomenon of spiritual embodiment or possession — an act considered sacred — saying, “the main difference between African-based religions and other religions is the belief in the capacity of these deities and spirits to temporarily return to life and share their powers and abilities with those who offer them homage.” These practitioners, called mediums, “spontaneously and voluntarily accept this spiritual embodiment.”

Beginning with the 1500s, when four million African slaves began to arrive in Brazil, Oxossi presents the histories of several variations of their religious practices. He touches on both the traditional and variations of Kimbanda — from the use of animal blood in sacrifice and the magic of the number seven, to ancestral bonds and the characteristics of spirits. The symbols, initiation rites, and associations of seven realms, each with nine dominions, are covered.

The book ends with a collection of sacred songs and prayers.

While I found it difficult to understand at times, anyone seeking a guide to Kimbanda will find it on these pages written by someone who practices the religion.

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About the Author:

Diego de Oxossi is a Chief of Kimbanda. For more than twenty years he has researched and presented lectures, courses, and workshops on pagan and African-Brazilian religions. He is the publisher at Arole Cultural, and lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His most recent book, “Sacred Leaves,” was published in July 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Brazilian Black Magic on Amazon

 

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About the Author:

Lynn Woike

thewitchonwheels.com

All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.