Even if you have never heard anything at all about Umbanda, you have probably heard something about one of its most emblematic and popular figures: the Preto-Velho.tortured.

Pretos-velhos are known as storytellers, as well as being great counselors, since they are patient, paternal and very wise. Their words are usually of hope, love and faith; they usually address their interlocutors as "my son" and "my daughter. Also, as far as their physical appearance is concerned, they are known for always bending over, speaking with a toneof an elderly voice and are always armed with their pipe, a very characteristic object.

Line of work

Before we can understand what a Preto-Velho is, we need to clarify its definition. In the introduction, we explained that Preto-Velho is an Umbanda line of work. But, after all, what is an Umbanda line of work? In Umbanda, lines of work are the specific types of spirits that manifest themselves in a specific terreiro.

In Umbanda, the line of work is commonly divided into left and right, and these terms have nothing to do with those related to politics. In a very simplified way, the spirits who work absorbing and consuming imbalances, vices and negativities (examples: exu, exu-mirim, pombagira) are considered to be of the left; of the right are those who restructure theUnlike religions like Christianity, which work with Manichaean ideas, that is, that consider there is good and evil, in Umbanda nothing is completely bad or good, so there is a lot of flexibility in the evaluation of the lines of work.

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Slave archetype

Still in the introduction, you read that the Preto-Velho is a spirit that represents the archetype of a slave. But what is an archetype? According to the dictionary, archetype is a "model or pattern capable of being reproduced in simulacra or similar objects", that is, all the pretos-velhos will act following the model, the pattern of a slave. Each one will tell his stories and give different advice, butEveryone will behave as if they were slaves.

For those who do not know this part of the History of Brazil, we tell: between the years 1532 and 1889, free blacks were brought as prisoners from various parts of Africa to Brazil. Here, they became merchandise: slaves. They were sold and used in the most diverse tasks, especially because we were, here, an extractivist colony of Portugal, that is, our colonizers extracted all the resourcesSlaves were not paid; they were therefore condemned to work exhaustingly until death, whether it was due to old age, health problems, torture and punishment, or being caught after an escape. In more than 300 years of slavery, an estimated 12 million people arrived in Brazil as slaves. This number is higher,for example, than the current populations of Bolivia, Portugal, Sweden, or Greece.

Personality and behavior of Preto-Velho

As he is quite humorous, despite the difficulties and pain (even literally) faced by the slaves, Preto-Velho shows that he has transcended all the suffering of life through his lightness and wisdom, and this is what he conveys when he communicates: wisdom, good humor, the need to tell his stories, and a paternal posture, with positive advice that showsBe careful with those with whom you are communicating.

Besides telling stories, the preto-velhos like to smoke pipes and bless their sons and daughters with branches of rue, while sprinkling fluidized water over them and praying the rosary.person who receives it.

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Worship

The date of May 13 is considered when the desire is to honor the spirit of Preto-Velho, because it is the day when the Lei Áurea, which abolished slavery in Brazil, was signed. Although Preto-Velho is available every day, it is common that his children prefer to communicate with him on Mondays. If you wish to please Preto-Velho with the colors of your clothes, opt for black and white.only.

Offerings

There are some foods that the Preto-Velho has a predilection for, such as unsalted popcorn, brandy, cornmeal cake, coffee without sugar, rice pudding, and canjica (a kind of corn pudding), but you should know that offerings made without being requested by an entity mean nothing, that is, they neither help nor hinder. If you wish to be guided and helped by a Preto-Velho, look for a terreiro, communicate your needs, receive the Preto-Velho's help.Pay attention to the objects and food requested, the date and time of delivery, and the place where it should be deposited.

Prayer to Preto-Velho

There are many prayers to the pretos-velhos, and there are even followers of Umbanda who believe that they have no power. As faith is free, you can say the well-known prayer below to communicate with the spirit of the Preto-Velho:

Praise be to all the pretos-velhos.

Praised be you who form the most holy rosary of the Virgin Mary. Blessed Holy Souls, protectors of all those who are in affliction.

We have recourse to you, spirits pure in suffering, great in humility, and blessed in the love you radiate. Help me, for I am in distress.

Grant me, my kind pretos-velhos, the grace to (the grace you wish to obtain is requested) through your intercession with the Holy Virgin Mary, Most Holy Mother of God and of us all.

Give me, my old black men, a little of your humility, your love, and your purity of thought, so that I can fulfill my mission on Earth, following all your examples of goodness.

Praised be all the Blessed Holy Souls, have mercy on us.

So be it!

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Point for Preto-Velho

If you like to sing and chant points, you can also communicate with Preto-Velho through this very traditional point:

"He is a landowner

Already signed conga

Saravá, my Father Antônio

Saravá, Mr. Jacutá."

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A very charismatic figure, the Preto-Velho is one of the best known symbols of Umbanda and represents the help and assistance of a wise person to someone who needs help. If you feel that the advice of someone spiritual and very wise would be of great help in your life, why not seek the help of a Preto-Velho? Remember, however, to always seek guidance in a terreiro whenDon't go around making offerings that have not been asked for, because they don't mean anything.