The afro-religious tradition of Maranhão, guardian of the vodun and Encantados, with its chants, rhythms, and living faith by the rivers and the sea.
The Tambor de Mina is one of the oldest afro-Brazilian religions in Brazil, originating from Maranhão. It emerged in the 19th century from the Casa das Minas, founded by Africans of the Ewe-Fon ethnicity (from present-day Benin), in São Luís.
The word "mina" comes from the Forte de São Jorge da Mina, on the coast of West Africa, through which many of the Africans brought to Brazil passed. The "tambor" refers to the act of playing the sacred atabaques in the ceremonies.
Different from the Bahian Candomblé, Tambor de Mina preserved very specific characteristics of the Dahomean tradition and also incorporated indigenous and European influences, developing a unique pantheon of Voduns and Encantados.
Voduns
Dahomean African deities Xapanã, Averequete, Legba
Encantados
Spirits of historical or mythical Brazilian figures Rei Sebastião, Dona Mariana
Turcos and Nobres
Spirits of European and Oriental origin incorporated into the tradition
Caboclos Gentis
Indigenous spirits with characteristics specific to Mina
Founded in the 19th century by enslaved African women of the Ewe-Fon ethnicity. It is considered the oldest terreiro in Maranhão and one of the most important in Brazil. They exclusively worship Dahomean voduns, without syncretism with other traditions.
The other great founding house of Maranhão, of Yoruba origin, founded around 1840. It has been listed by the state of Maranhão since 1986, while Casa das Minas is listed by IPHAN. Both maintain distinct rituals and preserve African languages in the sacred chants.
In Tambor de Mina, the drum is not just an instrument: it is a sacred voice that calls the Voduns and Encantados. The toques (rhythms), led by the drummers in the so-called line, mark the rhythm of the ceremonies and open the path for the manifestation of the spirits, in a dialogue between sound and mystery.
The festivals follow their own liturgical calendar, with chants (the doctrines), dances, white clothing, and lavish tables in honor of the Voduns and Encantados. They are moments of joy and devotion, in which the community celebrates the presence of the sacred and reaffirms its Afro-Maranhense identity.
This centuries-old tradition resists and renews itself with each generation. To support the faith of those who follow Tambor de Mina, Joia Mística Laroyê offers statues, bead necklaces, clothing, candles, and herbs, with welcoming service in Extrema-MG and shipping to all of Brazil.
Oxum (Oshun) in Umbanda is the orixá (orisha) of the waterfalls, celebrated on Saturdays, with a blue or yellow candle depending on the house. See the falange, who descends in the gira and what is requested.
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Oxum sung chant calls and dismisses the waterfall line. See the lily in the house of Zélio and in Pai Maneco, the sung chants with author, the maleime and the ijexá of the chant.
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Xangô (Shango) sung chant calls, firms and dismisses the quarry line. See the sung chants from the house of Zélio, the lily that turns into a book and the double-edged oxé in the ponto riscado.
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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.
