A tree dedicated to an orixá 26 years ago was cut down last Wednesday morning (22) by agents from the Secretariat of Public Services and Public Order of Santo Amaro, in the Bahian region.
The action occurred during the demolition of an acarajé tent linked to Terreiro Ilê Axé Omorodé Loni Omorodé Oluayé and was reported to the Civil Police as an act of religious intolerance. The case was registered one day after National Day to Combat Religious Intolerance.
The situation generated outrage among members of African-based religions, especially in Santo Amaro.
Mabô Kayode, Omon Orixá of Ewa, initiated into Ilê Ax Omorode Loni Oluaye and member of the terreiro led by babalorixá Gilson da Cruz, made an outburst in a video posted on social media denouncing the case.
“On January 22, 2025, the Municipality of Santo Amaro ordered the removal of a sacred tree that we had here in front of our yard, without any justification, without any type of prior communication”, he reports.
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According to Mabô, city hall employees arrived to demolish a tent next to the plant. “It was communicated that [a barraca] would be overturned. So far, so good. And then they just uprooted the tree. Even though our brother of saint shouted, informed that there were Exus there, that there was an Exu settlement, they didn’t consider it and uprooted our sacred tree”, denounced the member of the terreiro.
In a statement, the Bembé do Mercado Association, represented by Baba Pote, José Raimundo Lima Chaves, classified the episode as “a social affront” and “another chapter of persistent religious intolerance”. The entity demanded accountability from the City Hall and measures that guarantee respect for religious practices.
The National Federation of Afro-Brazilian Worship also spoke out, highlighting that the felled tree housed sacred settlements and that it has already initiated coordination to ensure reparatory actions.
On social media, Santo Amaro City Hall issued a statement apologizing to the affected community and attributed the incident to an error by the designated team. The management committed to investigating the case rigorously and reinforced that it is moving forward with the creation of a Municipal Secretariat for Racial and Gender Equality, which will focus on combating discrimination and valuing diversity.
“We emphasize that Santo Amaro City Hall does not condone any type of religious intolerance. We recognize the relevance of Candomblé and other religious manifestations in our city and reaffirm our commitment to respect, valuing diversity and preserving cultural and religious heritage”, informed the municipal administration, in a statement.
The case is investigated by the Santo Amaro Territorial Police Station. According to the Civil Police, witnesses will be heard to clarify the facts.
This content was originally published in 26-year-old sacred tree is felled by city hall in a terreiro in Bahia on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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