Casa das Minas

What it is

The Casa das Minas stands as a major temple for the Tambor de Mina religion in Brazil. Located in the capital city of Maranhão, it preserves the specific spiritual practices brought by people from the Kingdom of Dahomey. The site operates as both a sacred space for worship and a cultural landmark for the local community. It remains the only active temple in the region dedicated to this particular jeje lineage.

Where it comes from

Maria Jesuína established the temple during the 1840s after arriving in Brazil. She was likely Queen Nã Agontimé, a noblewoman from Dahomey who became enslaved. A property deed from 1847 confirms her leadership and the founding of the house. The temple honors Zomadonu, a vodun associated with her royal heritage. This origin story ties the Brazilian site directly to West African royalty and the transatlantic slave trade.

How it is done

Rituals involve singing Catholic liturgies in Latin and Portuguese alongside traditional songs. Drummers play three upright conical drums and use shakers and bells. The music signals the transition from secular to sacred time. Participants may enter states of spiritual possession. Food preparation is central, with large meals shared among attendees and distributed as alms to the poor.

Tools and materials

The temple uses a specific set of percussion instruments known as runtó. These include small, medium, and large conical drums played with hands or sticks. Iron bells and seed-filled gourd shakers complete the ensemble. The drums are kept covered when not in use to show respect. Uncovering them marks the beginning of sacred activities.

What it is for

The temple serves to maintain connections with Dahomean ancestors and voduns. It provides a space for community gathering and spiritual initiation. Leaders guide members through rites that preserve their unique cultural identity. The site also functions as a historical archive for Afro-Brazilian resistance and memory.

Who does it

Leadership follows a strict matriarchal line, governed exclusively by women. Men participate only as musicians playing the liturgical drums. The position of tobôssi boat ended in 1914. Later initiation types faded out in the late 20th century. After the death of Dona Deni in 2015, management shifted to male relatives who oversee festivals.

Peoples and places

The practice belongs to the Tambor de Mina tradition found in Maranhão and the Amazon. It specifically reflects the culture of the jeje people from present-day Benin. Other temples in the area follow Yoruba or nagô traditions. The Casa das Minas remains distinct due to its exclusive jeje roots and language.

What people believe

Voduns are the central spiritual forces worshipped at the temple. Maria Jesuína’s patron deity is Zomadonu. Possession by these spirits is reserved for female initiates. The belief system blends African deities with Catholic saints. Festivals often synchronize African celebrations with Christian holy days.

When it is done

Major events occur on Catholic holidays like Three Kings Day and Ash Wednesday. The feast of Saint Benedict aligns with the African deity Averequete. Performances include drum groups and bumba-meu-boi theater. These dates mark important times for communal feasting and ritual observance.

Questions people ask about Casa das Minas

Good reading and sources

• Casa das Minas on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data