The Pombagira Cigana is one of the most beloved faces of Afro-Brazilian spirituality, and also one of the most misunderstood. Before anything else, a necessary clarification: she is not the devil, nor a "thing of evil." Pombagira is the feminine Exu (Eshu), lady of the crossroads and guardian of women, and the Cigana is her face linked to freedom, intuition, and love.
In this guide, you will understand who Pombagira Cigana is, why she is not confused with the Romani people of Umbanda, what her colors are, her day, her offerings, and how she works in the life of those who seek her.
Who is Pombagira Cigana
Pombagira was born in quimbanda, the Brazilian tradition that works with Exus and Pombagiras, and today she is also worshipped in most houses of umbanda. She is the feminine counterpart of Exu: mistress of the word at the right time, of the crossroads, and of the paths of human desire. The researcher Reginaldo Prandi, from USP, describes her as a figure of free and transgressive femininity, the opposite of the submissive woman that society expected.
Within this universe, the Cigana is an entire line of Pombagiras marked by the spirit of the Romani people: the art of reading destiny, the taste for the road, dance, music, and card reading. She arrives light, joyful, spinning colorful skirts, but beneath the charm, she carries firmeza and vision.
Those who want to know the basis of this spirituality can start with our guide on what is quimbanda and by the general profile of who is Pombagira.
Pombagira Cigana is not the same as the Romani people
This is the most common error, and it is worth correcting clearly. The Pombagira Cigana is a pombagira, that is, a spirit linked to the spiritual legion of Exu, who works on the left. The Povo Cigano, or Romani Line, is formed by spirits of Romani men and women who lived on earth and work in Umbanda as their own guides, not as exus.
The two lines look similar in visual style, in the scarves, in the cards, and in the joy, but they have different natures and functions within the terreiro. Confusing one with the other erases the specificity of each work. To understand the line of Romani guides, see our text about Romani in Umbanda.
Each house has its own way of working. Names, greetings, and offering details vary from terreiro to terreiro. The right thing to do is always to follow the guidance of your Pai or Mãe de santo, and not a generic recipe from the internet.
Day, colors, and symbols of the Cigana
Pombagira Cigana is greeted, like the other pombagiras, in the gira of the left, at night, on Monday or on Friday, depending on the terreiro. Friday is the most cited, and the reason for each day is in dia de Pombagira. It is when many people light their candle and talk to her.
Her colors stem from red and black, the base of every pombagira: the red of passion and the pulsing life, the black of mystery and the night. The Cigana adds gold and vivid colors, present in the scarves, in the skirts, and in the jewelry that mark her style.
Among the symbols most linked to her are:
- The rose: flower of passion and beauty, her registered trademark
- The fan and the silk scarf: the dance, the charm, and the gesture
- The cards and the deck: the reading of destiny and intuition
- The coins and the jewelry: the abundance and the shine of the road
How Pombagira Cigana works
Cigana is sought, above all, in matters of the heart. She helps to open affective paths, to strengthen self-esteem, and to restore courage to those who have lost themselves. Many people also seek her for clarity in decisions, protection against envy, and firmeza to start over.
A honest and important reminder: serious spiritual ritual work is preparation and strengthening, not a magical transaction. Pombagira Cigana does not perform "infallible love binding ritual (amarração)" nor does she guarantee that someone will return in three days. What she offers is support for you to position yourself better, value yourself, and see the path with more clarity. The rest depends on your choices.
Because she works on the left, with direct frankness, Cigana usually responds quickly to those who treat her with respect and sincerity. She does not like whining or lies. She likes those who stand up for themselves and assume their own desires.
Offering to Pombagira Cigana
The offering is a gesture of affection and respect, not a payment for a result. The most common items in an offering to Cigana are:
- Red and gold candles
- Red roses and colorful flowers
- A glass of sweet wine or sparkling wine
- A striking perfume or essence
- Coins, jewelry, and a colorful scarf
It is usually delivered in places linked to her, such as tree-lined squares, flowery gardens, or crossroads, always with respect for the environment and without leaving non-biodegradable trash. To better understand the logic of offerings on the left, see our guide on offering for Exu.
Before any delivery, the ideal is to talk with your house. The terreiro guides the correct location, day, and form, and prevents you from doing something on your own without foundation.
The various faces of the Cigana (Romani spirit)
"Cigana" is not a single spirit, but a line with many Pombagiras, each with their own way. Among the most well known in Brazilian terreiros are:
- Cigana das Sete Encruzilhadas: linked to paths and great turnarounds
- Cigana da Praia: associated with waters, cleansing, and lightness
- Cigana Menina: of young, sweet, and playful energy
- Cigana Feiticeira: linked to reading and enchantment
- Cigana da Rosa Vermelha: linked to love and passion
- Cigana Esmeralda: registered as Pombagira in research from terreiros in Rondônia, Ceará, and Amazonas; see where the name comes from in Cigana Esmeralda
- Cigana da Estrada: in a tent in Rio, wears red and black and stays in the Roncó de Exu next to Maria Padilha
No list exhausts the theme. Each terreiro knows its Ciganas, with their own names and characteristics. What repeats in all is the invitation to freedom and the courage to live one's own path. To compare with another great pombagira, it is worth reading about Maria Padilha.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Pombagira Cigana?
It is a line of Pombagiras, the feminine Exu, marked by the spirit of the Romani people: freedom, intuition, dance, and reading of destiny. Born in Quimbanda and also worshipped in Umbanda, she acts primarily in matters of love, self-esteem, and feminine courage, always as spiritual support, never as a magical guarantee.
What is the day and the colors of Pombagira Cigana?
The day is that of the house's Pombagira gira, on Monday or Friday night, with Friday being the most cited. The colors start from red and black, the base of every pombagira, and the Cigana (Romani spirit) adds gold and the bright colors of scarves and jewelry. Roses, cards, and coins are among her strongest symbols.
What to offer to Pombagira Cigana?
Red and gold candles, roses and colorful flowers, a glass of sweet wine or sparkling wine, perfume, coins, and a colorful scarf are common items. The delivery is usually in squares or gardens, with respect for the environment. The ideal is always to follow the guidance of your terreiro.
Is Pombagira Cigana the same thing as the Romani people of Umbanda?
No. Pombagira Cigana is a pombagira, a spirit of the Exu spiritual legion, who works on the left. The Romani people is a line of spirit guides, spirits of Romani people who lived on earth and work as their own guides. They are similar in appearance, but different in nature and function.
What is Pombagira Cigana for?
She is sought to open affective paths, strengthen self-esteem, provide clarity in decisions, and protect against envy. Her ritual work is of strengthening and courage, not of guaranteed results. Serious spirituality prepares the field, but the one who decides the direction is you.
Where to find items for Pombagira Cigana
If you want to prepare a space of faith and respect for the Cigana (Romani spirit), at Joia Mística Laroyê you will find:
- Red and gold candles: to light on her day
- Statues and bead necklaces of Pombagira Cigana: for your altar
- Perfumes and essences: lavender (alfazema), roses, and striking aromas
- Quality roses and artificial flowers: to decorate the ponto
- Scarves, jewelry, and cups: to compose the offering with care
Visit our shop in Extrema, Minas Gerais or talk to us via WhatsApp and we ship all over Brazil.
Sources: Pombagira, World Religions and Spirituality Project and Reginaldo Prandi, “Pombagira e as faces inconfessas do Brasil” (USP).
References
- World Religions and Spirituality Project: article about Pombagira
- Reginaldo Prandi (USP): “Pombagira e as faces inconfessas do Brasil”
- Cristiane Amaral de Barros, UFJF: Iemanjá and Pomba-gira, dissertation, 2006
