Ilê Axé Iyá Omin Iyamassê, Candomblé temple in Salvador, Brazil
Ilê Axé Iyá Omin Iyamassê is a Candomblé temple in the Federação neighborhood of Salvador, Brazil, surrounded by a protective wall. The compound includes several buildings such as a ceremonial space, rooms for offerings, and areas where the community gathers.
Maria Júlia da Conceição Nazaré founded the temple in 1849 on land owned by Belgian merchant Edouard Gantois. The name of the site still honors this original landowner today.
Religious leaders wear white clothing during ceremonies and decorate the space with flowers and fabrics in the colors of different deities. During festivals, visitors often see groups of worshippers singing and clapping while priestesses perform ritual movements in a circle.
The site opens to visitors on specific festival days when public ceremonies take place. The community expects respectful clothing and quiet behavior during religious events.
Leadership passes exclusively from mother to daughter rather than through oracle decisions as in many other Candomblé houses. This arrangement has been in place since the founding and sets the house apart from other religious communities in Brazil.
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