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The mythic narratives of Candomblé Nagô and what they imply about its Supreme Being

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2024

José Eduardo Porcher Open the ORCID record for José Eduardo Porcher [Opens in a new window]
José Eduardo Porcher*
Affiliation:
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
*
Email: jeporcher@esp.puc-rio.br
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Abstract

In this article, I explore the mythic narratives of the Yoruba-derived tradition of Candomblé Nagô to discern the attributes of its Supreme Being. I introduce Candomblé, offering an overview of its central beliefs and practices, and then present theological perspectives on the Supreme Being in African Traditional Religion as a basis for comparison with the myths I will examine. I consider the primary creation myths of Candomblé, emphasizing references to the tradition's Supreme Being and, analysing these myths, I argue that Candomblé's Supreme Being, as depicted in these narratives, amounts to a limited god. This portrayal accounts for the absence of a problem of evil within the tradition. It suggests the moral ambivalence of Candomblé's Supreme Being and other high deities, as well as the world itself. This exploration sheds light on a lesser-explored tradition and its unique approach to philosophical dilemmas, distinct from the predominantly theistic framework of most philosophy of religion, and evinces that philosophizing through immersion in myths should involve appreciating the complexities and richness inherent in these forms of life, free from the imposition of external assumptions or biases.

Keywords

Afro-Brazilian religionsCandombléOlorum/Olodumareproblem of evilmythology

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Type
Original Article
Information
Religious Studies , Volume 61 , Special Issue 2: Featuring articles on Engaging Philosophically with Afro-Brazilian Religions , June 2025 , pp. 506 - 522
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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