Abstract
Candomblé is a religion of African origin that preserves knowledge rooted in the religious and cultural traditions of Afro-descendant communities, organizing itself into different nations linked to two main ethno-linguistic groups: the Bantu peoples and the Nagô peoples. The Angola Nation, one of the branches of Candomblé, is characterized by rituals and practices that reflect Bantu culture, especially from the ancient Kingdom of Congo and Angola. In the context of this nation, the worship of the Nkisis, superhuman deities associated with nature, stands out. Among these deities, Angorô and Angoroméia symbolize the rainbow and serpents, being considered lords of transformations. Ethnobotany, which addresses the traditional use of plants in rituals, is a crucial element for the worship of these deities. This study aims to analyze and document the use of ritualistic plants in rituals dedicated to Angorô and Angoroméia, for which the participant observation methodology was adopted, where 27 plant species were cataloged. The conclusion of the study highlights the scarcity of information in databases about the origin and history of the cult of these deities and the associated ethnobotany, emphasizing the urgency of new research and the challenges in preserving this rich cultural heritage.
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