Adaptation is the Sister of Agency

Adaptation is the sister of agency. While Quimbanda is Afro-Brazilian in origin, all true spirit contact must come from and through the Land beneath our feet, not an idealized mythic homeland. Quimbanda will always wear the body of the land in which it is practiced. Maturation on this road must, by necessity, be guided by resilience and adaptation, not rigidity and calcification.

It is in our ability to adapt to our surroundings that the macumbeiro finds mastery, where Exu and Pombagira work in concert with and celebrate with local spirits and traditions, and dance between where we have been, where we are going, and the choices we make in the crossroads of each moment.

Whether we view Exu and Pombagira as tutelar spirits, ancestral messengers, lesser deities, demon and daemon, our power rests at the center of the crossroads- and the ability to choose our course.

As the weather cools here and autumn takes hold, Exu and Pombagira wear masks both old and new, and if we allow them opportunity, join in the seasonal shifts and tides of power. We use what we have while remembering our roots, to fight for what we desire. Tradition is always to light new fires, not to smother with ashes. May Exu and Pombagira break through any rigidity that holds us back from accomplishing greatness!

Laroyé! Salve o bom povo de quimbanda!

Red/black candle provided by @loviartes
Text: @darknessoftheninthhour
Photo taken by: @sarahjezebel
Originally posted on Instagram @cabulamavilekitulakianjila
Reposted on Cabula Mavile Kitula kia Njila