Pomba Gira
from Kimbundu pambuanjila, meaning crossroads
An Afro-Brazilian spirit of love and desire worshipped in Umbanda and Quimbanda
Pomba Gira is a powerful female spirit invoked by followers of Umbanda and Quimbanda in Brazil. She embodies feminine sexuality, beauty, and desire, and is often called upon for help with matters of the heart.
- Name means crossroads in Kimbundu
- Consort of Exu in Afro-Brazilian faiths
- Venerated in Umbanda and Quimbanda
- Patron of transgender and effeminate worshippers
- Associated with the number seven and graveyards
What it is
Pomba Gira is an Afro-Brazilian spirit venerated within the traditions of Umbanda and Quimbanda. She represents the feminine aspects of sexuality, beauty, and intense desire. Often described as insatiable and beautiful, she holds a reputation for great wrath if disrespected. She is the consort of Exu, who serves as the messenger of the Orixas in related traditions like Candomblé. Followers hold her in high regard due to her power and capacity for both protection and retribution.
Where it comes from
The name derives from the Kimbundu word pambuanjila, which translates to crossroads. This etymology links her to liminal spaces and transitions. She is a central figure in Brazilian Afro-diasporic religions, where she manifests through various avatars or phalanges. These different names reflect her diverse roles and personalities within the spiritual hierarchy.
How it is done
Practitioners invoke Pomba Gira during rituals to seek aid in romantic and personal matters. She is known to manifest through spirit possession, taking control of mediums to communicate directly with worshippers. Her presence is associated with specific symbols such as the number seven, graveyards, and crossroads. Rituals may involve offerings and prayers tailored to her specific avatar.
Tools and materials
She is linked to symbols of the night, the graveyard, and the crossroads. The number seven appears frequently in her associations. Some representations emphasize her connection to witchcraft and vulgar or talkative behavior, though this varies by avatar. Specific manifestations include Maria Mulambo, associated with trash and brooms, and Dama da Noite, representing the night.
Pomba Gira, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Umbanda and Quimbanda
What it is for
Worshippers call upon her primarily for matters of the heart and love. She is also sought for empowerment and to navigate complex social situations. Her connection to transgender women and effeminate male worshippers highlights her role as a protector and patron for marginalized genders and sexualities within these communities.
Who does it
Devotion is found among practitioners of Umbanda and Quimbanda in Brazil. Both men and women worship her, but she has a particular affinity for transgender women and effeminate males, whom she is reputed to possess. Mediums serve as her vessels during ceremonies, allowing her voice and personality to emerge.
Peoples and places
The tradition is rooted in Brazil, specifically among Afro-Brazilian communities. It is practiced within the frameworks of Umbanda and Quimbanda. The spirit's widespread recognition across these groups shows her importance in contemporary Brazilian spiritual life.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Peoples
Belief worlds
What people believe
She is viewed as a powerful entity capable of influencing human emotions and relationships. Her association with Exu places her within a broader cosmology of messengers and divine forces. Believers understand her as multifaceted, with different avatars expressing varying degrees of promiscuity, wisdom, or ferocity depending on the needs of the moment.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Academic studies examine her role in gender and power dynamics within Brazilian society. Researchers analyze how she challenges traditional norms of femininity and respectability. Her depiction as a holy streetwalker or femme fatale offers insights into the intersection of religion, sexuality, and race in Brazil.
Cautions and what is closed
Disrespecting Pomba Gira is believed to invite her wrath. Her reputation for vengeance requires devotees to approach her with care and reverence. Rituals must be conducted properly to avoid negative consequences.
Compare and confuse
She shares thematic similarities with other fierce feminine divinities found across Eurasia and Latin America. Figures like Baba Yaga and Kali are sometimes compared to her due to their potent and dangerous nature. However, Pomba Gira remains distinct within the Afro-Brazilian context.
Today
Pomba Gira continues to be a vital figure in modern Brazilian spirituality. Her image and stories circulate widely, influencing popular culture and religious practice. Diaspora communities maintain her worship, adapting traditions to new contexts while preserving core beliefs.
Questions people ask about Pomba Gira
Who is Pomba Gira?
She is an Afro-Brazilian spirit of love, beauty, and desire worshipped in Umbanda and Quimbanda. She embodies feminine power and is often invoked for help with romantic matters.
What does her name mean?
The name comes from the Kimbundu word pambuanjila, which translates to crossroads. This connects her to liminal spaces and transitions in spiritual practice.
Why is she important to transgender people?
She is particularly revered by transgender women and effeminate males in Brazil. Practitioners believe she possesses them and offers protection and empowerment to those outside traditional gender norms.
What are her main symbols?
She is linked to the number seven, crossroads, graveyards, and the night. Different avatars may use specific items like brooms or roses to represent their aspect.
Good reading and sources
- Pomba Gira on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pomba Gira", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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