Candomble Ceromonies Held In Itaborai, Brazil

ITABORAI, BRAZIL - DECEMBER 12: Worshippers carry another who they said became possessed by a spirit during a Candomble ceremony honoring goddesses Iemanja and Oxum on December 12, 2015 in Itaborai, Brazil. Candomble is an Afro-Brazilian religion whose practitioners sometimes fall into trances during ceremonies believing they have become possessed by gods, or orixas. The roots of the Candomble religion came to Brazil via African slaves and eventually incorporated some elements of Catholicism. Afro-Brazilian religions generally refer to Iemanja as goddess of the sea and Oxum as goddess of rivers, lakes and waterfalls, or fresh water. Candomble practitioners sometimes face persecution in Brazil from other religious groups including evangelical Christians. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)