Candomblé, a Mysterious African Religion: Candomblé was imported along with slaves in the 1700s, and in some areas is called "Macumba." A matriarchal religion centered around worship of several gods, it features individual spirits with unique personalities, skills, and ritual preferences, connected to natural elements. Once prohibited by the Catholic church, and practiced only by the slave population, the religion now is integrated into the fabric of Afro-Brazilian culture, such as exists in Salvador. The complex religious rituals involve singing, dumming, dancing and entrancement by advanced practitioners. The traditional clothing is ornate with designated colors for various "houses" and seasonal celebrations.
