The afro-religious tradition of Rio Grande do Sul, guardian of African nations in the South of Brazil, with its rhythms, Orixás, and living faith.
The Batuque is an Afro-Brazilian religion with a strong presence in Rio Grande do Sul, where it developed independently from the baiano Candomblé. It is considered one of the oldest and most preserved Afro-religious traditions in Brazil.
Just like Candomblé, Batuque is divided into nações groups that preserve the traditions of different African peoples. The main ones are the Oyó Nation (yorùbá), Ijexá, Jeje, Angola, and Cabinda.
The Orixás of Batuque have names and characteristics similar to those of Candomblé and Umbanda, but with their own liturgy and chants. The Pai or Mãe de Nação leads the house and is responsible for transmitting sacred knowledge.
Nação Oyó
Yorùbá (Nigeria) · Xangô (Shango), Iansã (Oya), Iemanjá (Yemoja)
Nação Ijexá
Yorùbá Ijexá · Oxum (Oshun), Oxóssi (Oshosi)
Jeje nation
Ewe-Fon (Benin) · Voduns
Angola nation
Bantu (Angola) · Inquices
Cabinda nation
Bantu (Congo) · Inquices
In Rio Grande do Sul, Batuque is a living part of the culture. The houses of religion called terreiras or casas de nação gather entire communities around the worship of the Orixás, keeping alive a tradition that crossed the Atlantic and took root in the extreme south of Brazil.
The ceremonies are marked by the sound of the drums, by the chants in African languages and by the dances that greet each Orixá. The festivals follow their own calendar, and one of the best known is the festa de Iemanjá, celebrated on the banks of the Guaíba, in Porto Alegre, gathering thousands of faithful who deliver flowers and offerings to the waters.
More than a rite, Batuque is a network of belonging: the Pai or Mãe of the nation welcomes, guides, and transmits the axé to the filhos de santo, preserving the memory of the ancestors and the resistance of a people. It is this daily faith that Joia Mística Laroyê seeks to support, offering religious items with respect and quality.
Bará do Mercado: what are the Sete Chaves on the floor of the Mercado Público de Porto Alegre, who settled the orixá (orisha) there, what the povo de santo do when passing by, and the law.
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In the gaúcho batuque, the ruler of the year is the orixá of the day of the week of January 1st or comes from the house búzios. See Ogum and Iansã in 2026 and the Friday of 2027 in RS.
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Axero is the state in which the filho de santo stays when the orixá says goodbye in the batuque: a childlike manner and mixed speech. See when it happens and how to act.
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Extrema, Minas Gerais · South of Minas
Candles, herbs, statues, bead necklaces and everything for your faith, with service from those who understand. Ask your questions via WhatsApp or pay us a visit.
