Pai-de-santo

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A Pai-de-santo is a male priest in the Afro-Brazilian religions. The name is given to priests in Umbanda, Nación and Candomblé, in all religions with African related origins. It's a Brazilian name that means Father of Saints, which is a translation into Portuguese from the Yoruba language title given to priest men "Babalorishá". This word means Babá = father, and the contraction L'Orishá = of Orisha. As a product of the syncretism the word Orishá (eleveted ancestral spirit) was translated into Portuguese as Saint.

See also: Mãe-de-santo

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