Educational Retreat:
"Umbandaime: Spiritual Experience in Afro-Brazilian Tradition"
Mediumism and knowledge of ancestors.

Umbanda is an Afro-Brazilian occult tradition based on knowledge of elementals and communication with the sacred spirits of ancestors, who open portals so that we could get access to the teachings of the Spiritual World and thus achieve our healing, balance our lives, so that we could live better and longer.
Umbanda ceremonies are aimed at improving the health of society and each individual personally.
Daime – (translated as “Give Me” from portugues and in Slavic languages sounds like “Dai mne”), interesting coincidence, isn't it?!) – is a spiritual tradition using Ayahuasca medicine. Since it represents liquid light, we ask it to empower us by giving the healing we need.
This name was given to medicine by master Raimundo Irineu Serra, an Afro-Brazilian who founded Santo Daime and received medicines from the Amazon Indians in Brazil.

Thus, Umbandaime offers a path of self-study due to the symbiosis of these two traditions, Afro-Brazilian rites (orishas) and the mysticism of the peoples of the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian caboclo (people and spirits of the forest).

Orixás (Orishas are African deities worshiped by Yoruba peoples. They are archetypes of the elements’ consciousness and forces of nature.

The specificity of Umbanda is working with spirits who serve humanity only in the name of Light, so rituals often call upon the elements, which may seem very chaotic, active and warlike, but this is done for healing, purification and recognition of the fact that there is chaos in us too, this is the only way to order it.

The Umbandaime tradition practices the study of Mediumism and Incorporation. These researches allow the participant to connect with their spiritual guides who come with healing, guidance and blessing. Working with plants, fumigation, working with consciousness while taking medicine.
Experienced participants of the rituals and Special Mediums maintains semi-conscious state and allow Spirits to speak and move through their physical body. The deity begins to reveal itself, its personality, habits, at the same time-sharing wisdom, vision from a higher perspective and giving instructions for certain individual practices.

In this tradition, physical activity and the body play a fundamental role, in rituals people are offered to bring their dances, give space to express and open to a sensory experience.

All medical processes go easier and more joyfully in a dance, moving fluids in the body, helping organs work; medicine works deeper when you consciously help it.

Umbanda is accompanied by very beautiful and lively music, it is the basis of the tradition, big drums with unique rhythms, live singing, ritual movements, fumigation, washing with herbs - everything looks like a huge holiday, disguising the tradition, behind which there is great power and meaning.
Offerings, rituals, working with different plants, increasing sensitivity and revealing medium abilities of everyone - these are not all things that we are going to learn.
Work with a group of mediums (a team of 3-5 people + 2 translators into to English) is a unique opportunity to experience a different level of reality perception.

The word Yabás means "Great Mother", and this is how we treat female Orixás in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions.
Gira is one of the main sacred rituals of Umbanda and the spiritual space where we open up to connect with our mentors.
It is great value to realize that we are all children of the same mother, and she comes from Africa.
Umbanda knowledge says that humanity originates in Africa and due to the climate changes, our skin has changed color to receive more sun in the north, our eyes have become narrow as we were going into desert areas, and so on.

That’s why priestly traditions of Africa have enormous power.
This knowledge is applicable to everyone who wants to connect with their ancestors, find spiritual mentors, and even gain knowledge about Orishas who protect You personally.
Our guides:

Sonia Costa
Wisdom keeper, visual artist, art teacher and spiritual leader of Roça de Ogum.
She comes from Bahia, she has been studying African Orisha tradition (Yoruba) for the last 20 years. She is the founder and director of Terreiro Roça de Ogum and is currently studying bioenergy therapy.
Her research focuses on the body as a space of sensory experience that looks for emotional and spiritual knowledge about the self.

Alexey
Alexey is a researcher of consciousness, plants and occult traditions and an artist, has been a travel organizer for 12 years.
He is interested in alternative versions of human history, all methods of self-knowledge and gaining integrity.
A healer who has found harmony and inspiration through a versatile path of knowledge and creation.

Tatiana
Tatiana is a natural perfumer, designer of spaces, fragrances and the inspiration of Madre Terra project.
She has worked with plants, allopathic and alternative therapies, done yoga, meditation and practices for 17 years.
An event organizer with 13 years of experience, she is interested in astrology and alchemy.
Mediums and musicians Roca de Ogum:

Luisa Drua
A visual artist, a percussionist.

Diogo Reis
A massage therapist and an acupuncturist

Gabriela Sampaio
A herbalist and an entrepreneur.

Viviane Marques
A therapist, an art teacher.

Ana Takenaka
A visual artist, a teacher
Retreat programme:
- Two Festive active ceremonies with Ayahuasca, drums, dances called Gira
- Learning about the Orishas, mythology, theory and practice of interaction with them
- Energy cleansing with the help of four elements and special plants
- Rituals with primary elements, offerings to the Spirits of the area
- Walks and Hiking in the forest, to Waterfalls or beaches depending on the location of the retreat
- Percussion workshops, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, dance and music
- Meditations in connection with generic powers. Bodily practices and activation of vital power. Creative mapping of emotional paths
P.S.: During the retreat, Medicine is taken every day in small portions.

Retreat cost: 3300$
The cost includes:
- 7 days accomodation
- 3 vegetarian meals a day
- simultaneous translation from Portuguese
- transfer from the Airport and back
- all workshops, activities, lectures and practices
- all rituals and plants of power
The cost doesn’t include:
- massages and individual sessions
- excursions (trips to waterfalls, cocoa farm, optionally will depend on the wishes of the group and location)
- flight
- personal expanses
Since Umbanda is knowledge about the elements and Deities of nature, retreats are held in different parts of Brazil, the areas corresponding to a specific Orisha.
For example, in the mountains, near waterfalls, in the forest, on the coast.

Therefore, accommodation and retreat center, living conditions are information that we provide individually to everyone!
We will be very happy to meet you in magical and sunny Brazil and show you the most powerful, interesting and magical places.
