Pombajira is the name of an

Afro-Brazilian Afro-Brazilians ( pt, afro-brasileiros; ) are Brazilians who have predominantly African ancestry (see "Black people#Brazil, preto"). Most members of another group of people, Pardo Brazilians, multiracial Brazilians or ''pardos'', may also have a ...

spirit evoked by practitioners of

Umbanda Umbanda () is a syncretic Afro-Brazilian religion that blends traditional African religions with Roman Catholicism, Spiritism, and Indigenous American beliefs. Although some of its beliefs and most of its practices existed in the late 19th cent ...

and

Quimbanda Quimbanda () is an Afro-Brazilian religion practiced primarily in the urban city centers of Brazil. Quimbanda practices are typically associated with magic, rituals with Exus, and Pombagiras spirits. Quimbanda was originally contained under the ...

in Brazil. She is the consort of Exu, who is the messenger of the Orixas in

Candomblé Candomblé () is an African diasporic religion that developed in Brazil during the 19th century. It arose through a process of syncretism between several of the traditional religions of West Africa, especially that of the Yoruba, and the Roman ...

. Known by many names, or

avatar Avatar (, ; ), is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means "descent". It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, goddess or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearanc ...

s, Pombajira is often associated with the number seven,

crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...

graveyard A cemetery, burial ground, gravesite or graveyard is a place where the remains of dead people are buried or otherwise interred. The word ''cemetery'' (from Greek , "sleeping place") implies that the land is specifically designated as a buri ...

spirit possession Spirit possession is an unusual or altered state of consciousness and associated behaviors purportedly caused by the control of a human body by spirits, ghosts, demons, or gods. The concept of spirit possession exists in many cultures and rel ...

, and

witchcraft Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have us ...

Tradition

While Exu represents

male sexuality Human male sexuality encompasses a wide variety of feelings and behaviors. Men's feelings of attraction may be caused by various physical and social traits of their potential partner. Men's sexual behavior can be affected by many factors, incl ...

, fertility and strength, Pombajira personifies

female sexuality Human female sexuality encompasses a broad range of behaviors and processes, including female sexual identity and sexual behavior, the physiological, psychological, social, cultural, political, and spiritual or religious aspects of sexual ac ...

, beauty and desire. She is depicted as a beautiful woman who is insatiable. Pombajira is venerated with great respect and care because of her reputation for possessing great wrath. She is often invoked by those who seek aid in matters of the heart and love. Pombajira is noted for her connection with both transgender women and

effeminate Effeminacy is the embodiment of traits and/or expressions in those who are not of the female sex (e.g. boys and men) that are often associated with what is generally perceived to be feminine behaviours, mannerisms, styles, or gender roles, rather ...

male worshippers and is reputed to possess both. Some representations of Pombajira display the characteristics of being promiscuous, talkative and vulgar. However she has many avatars, and will be more or less inclined towards that behavior depending on how she manifests herself.

Avatars

Pombajira manifests in the following forms: *Dama da Noite ''(Lady of the Night)'' *Maria Mulambo da Lixeira “(Mary wretched of the trash can)” *Maria Mulambo das Sete Catacumbas “(Mary wretched of the Seven Tombs)” *Maria Padilha ''(Mary Padilla - First of the Marys)'' *Maria Quitéria “(The word “Quitéria, means war. So it would be “War Mary”)” *Pombajira Cigana ''(

Gypsy The Romani (also spelled Romany or Rromani , ), colloquially known as the Roma, are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, traditionally nomadic itinerants. They live in Europe and Anatolia, and have diaspora populations located worldwide, with sign ...

Pombajira)'' *Pombajira do Ouro " (Pombagira of the Gold)" *Pombajira das Almas ''(Pombajira of the Souls)'' *Pombajira das Cobras (Pombajira of Snakes) *Pombajira das Sete Encruzilhadas ''(Pombajira of the Seven Crossroads)'' *Pombajira dos 7 Cruzeiros da Calunga ''(Pombajira of the Seven Crosses of

Kalunga The Kalungas are Brazilians that descend from people who freed themselves from slavery, and lived in remote settlements in Goiás state, Brazil. The Kalungas are one group of Quilombola, or people of African origin who live in hinterland s ...

)'' *Pombajira da Praia (Pombajira of the Beach) *Pombajira Mirongueira ''(Enchantress Pombajira)'' *Pombajira Mocinha ou Menina''(Young Girl Pombajira)'' *Pombajira Rainha ''(

Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

Pombajira)'' *Pombajira Sete Calungas ''(Pombajira Seven Kalungas)'' *Rainha do Cemitério ''(Queen of the Graveyard)'' *Rainha Sete Encruzilhadas ''(Queen Seven Crossroads)'' *Rosa Caveira (literally ''Rose Skull'') *Pombajira Rainha do Inferno “(Pombajira Queen of Hell)” *Pombajira 7 Saias “(Pombajira Seven skirts)” *Pombajira do Cabaré "(Night Club Pombagira)" *Pombajira Sete Saias "(Pombajira Seven Skirts)" *Pombajira das Rosas "(Pombajira of the roses)" *Pombajira das Sete Rosas (Pombajira of the Seven Roses)"

References

Bibliography

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gira, Pomba Afro-American religion Afro-Brazilian culture Brazilian deities Love and lust goddesses Religious syncretism in Brazil South American deities Transgender in South America Transgender topics and mythology