A NEW STRANGE TREND IN COLLECTIBLES? – REAL BLACK MAGIC STATUES

They are entities with supernatural powers, come from another dimension but are not superheroes. Sometimes they can even be the villains depending on who’s using them and with which end. They have a huge line of characters and their respective representation as collectible statues. but they’re not from comic books, or movies, or TV.

And there’s more: many believes they exist, a belief that has his origins in Africa, many centuries ago and have spread with slavery throughout the world merging itself with local religions. Are they religious statues? Not in Judaic/Christian way. They belong another ancient and obscure belief: “Candomblé”.

“Candomblé” has a division/fission: the right and left sides. “Quimbanda” or Kimbanda is said to be the “left side” of Candomblé, an afro-religion very present principally in Brazil, where “Pais” e “Mães-de-Santo” (Saints’ Fathers and Mothers) who have developed medium capabilities serve as “horses” and incorporate the entities they are bonded to for several reasons or purposes.

It is said that “Quimbanda’s” practitioners’ activities are different from the “right side” or “white table” of “Candomblé” (Umbanda) because involve cosmology of malign entities revolving - besides rites of protection and wishes for fortune, health love or luck (as Umbanda) - black magic, with rituals of curse, vengeance among others evil purposes.

The “Exus” (“Eshus”) and “Pomba-Giras” (“Pombo Giras”) the main entities of Quimbanda, are said to be less developed spirits still too attached to the flesh and human frailties like envy, anger and vices like alcohol and tobacco. By being rebellious spirits they are difficult to control and sometimes incorporate in the medium or horse against his/her will.

Some of the offerings given to praise these entities generally are drinks, cigars, animal sacrifices depending on what the adept want them to do.

The Exus and Pomba-Giras inhabit in their majority into the woods, cemeteries and crossroads among other places of lower spiritual vibration.

Each Exu has a Pomba-Gira and vice-versa and each of them may have several partners. It is said that each Exu or Pomba-Gira has generally 7 partners because this number - as well as six - has a very strong meaning in Quimbanda's mythology.

The trend of collecting genuine handmade statues from these entities is slowing spreading among more daring Terror/Horror movies fans. They’re difficult to find, but if you look for it on eBay or Googling “Eshu”, “Exu” or “Pomba Gira”, “Pombo Gira” you may find them. It’s the scarcity and difficulty to locate these pieces besides being the “real deal” that make them so special among collectors. One can find images from 8 inches to 24 inches tall. And prices are not friendly (while not absurd either).

One should not expect nothing along the lines of a Sideshow or XM, not even close, but they certainly have a crude, rustic appearance that gives them this strange mystical appeal. And some of them are made by commission. Besides, it is said the statues are source of spiritual protection to the owner, his/her home and close people, and may realize the wishes of who believes and praises them. Being it good deeds or bad deeds, it depends on the owner. But be careful about what you ask because your wish, if you have faith enough, can come true!

The heart of the matter is: do you have the guts of having a genuine black magic statue among your collection? Even if only for spiritual protection? Some of us certainly do. And some even felt strange spiritual perceptions or insights after getting these figures. Go figure, literally!