By Carlos Buby

When we think about a temple of Umbanda outside Brazil, the first impression that comes to mind is how a tradition, so culturally complex as the afro-indigenous-Brazilian culture, is able to embrace other cultural models without losing its originality and without violating the essence of other cultures. It is in fact at least curious, to imagine a Preto Velho incorporating in an Austrian medium, or a Baiano in Swiss medium, expressing themselves in Portuguese with the characteristic language of each Line.

From a spiritual point of view, the connection with the Primordial Light happens in a level that transcends any type of horizontal restriction. In spite of the rituals being characteristic of a certain tradition or time, their influences don’t invalidate the pre-existent cultural values. It is common for people with a millenarian culture to understand and easily integrate with millenarian rites. To sing and dance for Nature has never been the exclusive privilege of Brazilians or Africans. The North American indigenous nations have worshiped their ancestors in an extraordinarily dignified way. Their sacred rituals, deep and subtle, molded in our Consciousness, the Love for Earth.

Although the establishment of Templo Guaracy in other countries can represent a political expansion of Umbanda, that, was never the conscious objective of its leaders. The phenomenon is happening naturally and inside of the legal and ritualistic requirements. Templo Guaracy of Brazil, is responsible for the philosophical coordination and guidance and is ready if needed, to restrain any action contrary to its ethical principles, published on August 02, 1973, as part of its official bylaws and regulations.

The group of mediums of each Temple is constituted by: “Médiuns Atendentes” (Mediums whose entities attend the public), “Médiuns Cambonos” (Mediums who help the entities who attend the public), “Ogãs de Atabaque” (Drummers), “Ogãs de Sala” (responsible for the songs used in rituals), “Ekédes”, “Iyabacés” and Coordinators, initiated in Brazil. The public services are provided during weekly “Giras” (ritual ceremony). Besides the ritual meetings, the Temples promote research in the different areas of human development. The studies and research do not seek the explanation of spiritual phenomena, they just contribute to the understanding of their effects on the social, individual and collective psychological behavior. The great number of members, experts in the areas of the Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, History, etc., makes possible the deepening of the research, bringing the studies to an academic level.