May 13th
Content translated by Google Translate
May 13th
PRETO VELHO'S DAY
On May 13th, when we remember the historic “Abolition of Slavery” in Brazil, the “Day of the Preto Velho” is celebrated in Umbanda.
The Pretos Velhos represent the spirit of overcoming and transcending all the torture and suffering experienced by slaves in the past; when black men were treated as objects of commerce and profit for the great lords.
The Pretos Velhos become these spirits of light after going through several learnings and reincarnations, this makes them highly highly prepared guides to act in various situations, makes them really incredible mediumistic mentors.
Going back in time, during the Brazilian colonial period, the great European powers of the time subjugated and enslaved blacks from different African nations, transforming them into merchandise, soulless beings, just objects for selling work.
In this market, the slave traders used to use themselves in different ways to get their “merchandise”: they arrived surprising everyone in the tribe, of course, always separating the youngest and strongest. They used to look for blacks in the West, Midwest, Northeast and South of Africa. They exchanged for other goods, such as mirrors, knives and drinks, those who were captives from tribes defeated in war and bringing those who were defeated as slaves.
In Brazil, at first, black slaves arrived from the Northeast; later, also by Rio de Janeiro. The first to arrive were the Bantu, Cabindos, Sudanese, Yoruba, Minas and Malé.
For Africa, the slave trade was costly: in four centuries, around 75 MILLION people were enslaved and killed, basically the most selected part of the population.
These blacks, who were brutally uprooted from their land, separated from their families, undergoing terrible hardship, worked almost non-stop on the colony's large sugar plantations. The work was so arduous that a black slave in Brazil did not last ten years.
In exchange for so much effort, they received nothing, except rags to wear and bread to eat, when they were not terribly flogged on the trunks for attempts to escape and insubordination to their masters. Many times, they reacted to everything by committing suicide, avoiding reproduction, killing overseers, captains of the forest and planters.
What remained for the black African slave in Brazil was his faith, and it was in his cults that it resisted, as a ritual of freedom, a protest against the oppression of white people. The dances and songs were the only way they had to vent and alleviate the pain of slavery.
But, despite all the revolt, there were also those who adapted more easily to the new situation. These received different treatment and performed tasks as breeders, boilermakers or carpenters. They also worked at Casa Grande, they were the so-called “domestic slaves”. Others, still, conquered the manumission through their masters or the laws (Sexagenarian, Free Womb and Lei Áurea). With this, they gradually managed to age and establish their cult to the Orixás and ancestors, becoming a reference for younger people, teaching them the customs of Mother Africa. Thus, through syncretism, they managed to preserve their culture and religion.
Pretos Velhos are spirits of high wisdom, powerful sorcerers who master the "art" of using herbs to work with spiritual medicines and spells in various areas. Merciful spirits, do not usually fail to meet the requests of their children, so be sure to make your deliveries and make your orders on this day.
When we talk about Preto Velho, four basic words come to mind: calm, wisdom, humility and charity, so how about putting into practice this beautiful example they give us?
Bibliographic references:
– Guardians of Light Portal
– Light of the Fraternity
– USP Magazine No. 28
– The Black Religions of Brazil
Proofreading, Editing and Formatting:
- A. Keene