African religions, in and outside the Continent, have seen
an increasing interest by people who traditionally professed other religions, most notably Christianity. The past few decades
have seen massive conversions into Vodou, Santeria, Candomblé, Palo, Umbanda, Batuque, etc. up to an extent that it is now
something ‘fashionable’ to say that one is initiated into this or that tradition.
Far from a way of gaining status, initiation into one of these
‘power religions’ is something that cannot be taken lightly. There are people who will say that anyone can initiate
and become a priest in a given tradition and then never again decide to practice that tradition. It is true that initiation
can be taken by anyone with a true desire to serve the deities. Anyone can present themselves to be initiated in our House,
for instance. But if you plan to initiate, it is for life. For, if you are going to initiate and then leave it all behind,
then why initiate at all?
Initiation is not the main or only gateway to practicing Batuque.
True, it is the most powerful way of practicing it! In our House, those who wish and need to be initiated into Batuque will
be initiated according to the tradition. By tradition, we mean the mainstream Batuque since there is no one single Batuque
lineage or way of doing things. Each house or terreiro will add elements to the initiatory ceremonies at will but there are
minimum requirements for someone to claim to be a Batuque initiate.
Learning the path of Batuque takes time! And learning the path of Batuque to become a priest takes even longer! Mainstream Batuque does not accept
certain widespread practices in which someone who has never had any contact with an African or African-based spiritual tradition
could, in as little as a fortnight become a full priest in the tradition.
This is impossible in any African-based tradition. And Batuque,
even though being Brazilian, does not differ very much on that.
Further information is obtainable by writing to the Head Priest
of our house.
Initiation is
a costly ceremony requiring the efforts of many people. It is a serious issue. Please ONLY enquire if you are genuinely willing
to accept all the responsibilities (and not only the glories!) of a Batuqueiro.
Please fill out this box below for information on Initiations in our House. All information request is mandatory.
