Candomblé

thumb|right|A practitioner dressed as the orixá Oba in Brazil; the possession of adherents by orixás is central to Candomblé Candomblé () is an African diasporic religion that developed in Brazil during the 19th century. It arose through a process of syncretism between several of the traditional religions of West and Central Africa, especially those of the Yoruba, Bantu, and Gbe, coupled with influences from Roman Catholicism. There is no central authority in control of Candomblé, which is organized around autonomous terreiros (houses).

Akara (; , ) is a type of fritter made from cowpeas or beans (black-eyed peas) originated in Yorubaland, from the Yoruba ethnic group inhabiting parts of Nigeria, Benin and Togo. It is sometimes referred to as "bean cake" in English. It is found throughout West African, Caribbean, and Brazilian cuisines. The dish is traditionally encountered in Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia, especially in the city of Salvador. The dish was brought by enslaved Yoruba citizens from West Africa, and can still be found in various forms in Nigeria, Benin and Togo.

Shango (Yoruba: Ṣàngó) is the Orisha (or deity) of fire, thunder, lightning, virility, dance, drumming, strength and justice in the Yoruba religion. Genealogically, Shango is a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third Alaafin of the Oyo Empire prior to his posthumous deification. Shango is believed to have numerous manifestations as various historical and legendary figures, including Airá, Agodo, Afonja, Lubé, and Obomin. He is known for his double-headed battle-axe (Oṣé). He is considered to be one of the most powerful rulers that Yorubaland has ever produced.

right|thumb|300px|Drumming on an atabaque The atabaque ( , , ) is a tall, wooden, Afro-Brazilian hand drum, similar to conga.

American anthropologist (1908–1991)

Oshunmare (or Oshumare; known as Ochumaré or Oxumaré in Latin America) is an Orisha. Oshumare is the divine serpent spirit of the rainbow, and "Òṣùmàrè" also means "rainbow" in the Yoruba language.

The term afoxé refers to a Carnival group originating from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, in the 1920s, and the music it plays deriving from the Afro-Brazilian Candomblé religion. It came to indicate a musical rhythm, named ijexá derived from the ijexá nation within Candomblé. Cultural performances of the afoxés, typically at Brazilian Carnival, incorporate choreography, song, ritual language and ceremonies deriving from the Candomblé religion. In Brazil, afoxé is generally performed by blocos, afros-groups of mostly black or mulatto musicians who are familiar with African Brazilian music. Afoxés

right|thumb|300px|Candomblé|Candomblean Iyalorishás [[Olga de Alaketu and Stella de Oxóssi with Gilberto Gil, a Brazilian singer and former Minister of Culture.]]

Ọsanyin (Yoruba: Ọ̀sanyìn, rendered Osaín/Ossain/Ossaím in Latin America, Ague (Age) in Fon) is the orisha who has the omniscient knowledge of leaf, herb and matter. He is also known for healing and displaying magic and creating technological tools, and is popularly considered as a herbalist, magician, and technologist. He is the creator of the concept of Oniṣegun. Ọsanyin is believed to be a powerful wizard and master of all spells and crafts found in the wild and untamed areas of nature. In the Americas, he is syncretized with Saint Joseph. Ọsanyin is described as embodying the features of l