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!
