Matamba Tombenci Neto, Candomblé terreiro in Ilhéus, Brazil.
Matamba Tombenci Neto is an Angola-nation Candomblé terreiro in the Alto da Conquista neighborhood of Ilhéus, Bahia, led since 1973 by Ilza Rodrigues Pereira dos Santos, Mãe Ilza, Mameto Mucalê. It is organized around a family base: the mãe-de-santo, her fourteen biological children, all initiated at different degrees, and their families. On the grounds are the Memorial Unzó Tombenci Neto, opened in 2006 with objects from the house's history, and the Galeria Ingué Caitumba, with photographs from its historic collection.
The terreiro traces its line to Aldeia de Hongolo, opened in Ilhéus in 1885 by Tiodolina Félix Rodrigues, Iá Tidu, who led it until her death in 1914. Her son Euzébio Félix Rodrigues, Tata Gombé, took over in 1915 and renamed it Terreiro de Roxo Mucumbo. His sister Izabel Rodrigues Pereira, Dona Roxa, succeeded him in 1941; after completing obligations with Marcelina Plácida, Dona Maçu, of the Salvador Tumbensi house, it reopened in 1946 in Alto da Conquista as Terreiro Senhora Sant'Ana Tombenci Neto.
The terreiro is organized around the family of the mãe-de-santo: Mãe Ilza's fourteen biological children, all initiated at different degrees, and their families. It has given rise to more than fifty houses called "Tombenci Bisnetos", in Bahia, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It keeps close ties with the Carilos area and the Conquista neighborhood.
The terreiro stands in the Alto da Conquista neighbourhood, an area with which the house has long had close ties, alongside the Carilos area. It is organised around the family of Mãe Ilza, Mameto Mucalê, who has led it since 1973 and whose fourteen children were all initiated to different degrees. Access follows the rhythm of ceremonies, so arrange a visit in advance.
The terreiro's name comes from Matamba, an Angolan kingdom, and from Tombenci Neto, the house founded in Salvador by Maria Neném (1865–1945). In 2006 the terreiro opened the Memorial Unzó Tombenci Neto, holding objects from its history, and the Galeria Ingué Caitumba, with photographs from its archive.
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