Kupapa Unsaba, Candomblé terreiro in Anchieta, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Kupapa Unsaba is a Candomblé terreiro in Anchieta, Rio de Janeiro, founded in 1938 on a plot of about 5,000 square metres. It is a branch of the Terreiro Bate Folha of Salvador, Bahia, and its rituals and chants are kept in Kimbundu, the Bantu language brought from Angola.

João Correia de Mello, known as João Lessengue, was initiated into Candomblé in Salvador on 4 December 1929. He moved to Rio de Janeiro in the 1930s and in 1938 bought a plot of about 5,000 square metres in Anchieta, where he founded Kupapa Unsaba. He led the house until his death on 29 September 1970; after two years of mourning, his niece Mabeji was invested as Mameturiá Inquice in 1972.

The terreiro preserves Bantu traditions through ceremonies conducted in Kimbundu language, connecting visitors directly with African spiritual practices that remain alive today.

The site is located in Anchieta and is accessible to visitors interested in attending traditional ceremonies and engaging with the community. It is wise to inquire in advance about the best time to visit and appropriate cultural etiquette.

In 2005, the terreiro produced 'Cantigas de Angola,' a recording that documents traditional Bantu songs and preserves oral traditions for future generations. This album serves as an important resource for anyone interested in African musical heritage.