Who Are the Erês in Umbanda?
While they appear as children, many Erês are ancient spirits. They adopt this innocent form to reach us more gently, using purity as their language. Their gestures—crying, laughing, sulking—are never random; they mirror what needs healing in the emotional or spiritual body.
Also known as Ibejis, Dois-Dois, Doum, or simply Crianças, these spirits carry powerful energy despite their childlike appearance. Some were once children in the physical world. Others were old spirits who chose to continue their mission through joy and light-heartedness. In the Umbanda, the Erês reflect core aspects of its cosmology—where joy, love, and emotional truth are essential dimensions of spiritual transformation.
What the Children Represent in Umbanda
In Umbanda, the Erês:
- Represent purity, sincerity, and joy
- Embody emotional healing and renewal
- Work as messengers of the Orishá
- Offer simple yet powerful guidance
- Promote lightness, dissolving dense spiritual energy
They align with the astral-feeling dimension of Umbanda’s sacred trinity—mirroring the divine principle of feeling in motion. As one of the three primary archetypes in this spiritual structure, the Erês reflect purity at its most transformative point: the beginning.
On the other end of this sacred trinity stand the Pretos-Velhos, who embody wisdom and humility at the end of life’s journey. Between them, the Caboclos represent the vitality of adulthood, simplicity in action, and the strength to walk the middle path.
Together, these three spiritual forces frame a dynamic cycle of transformation—birth and renewal with the Erês, purposeful action and strength with the Caboclos, and reflection and closure with the Pretos-Velhos.
How the Erês Heal in Umbanda: Innocence, Joy, and Transformation
Elemental Energy and Orisha Connections
The energy of the Children is centered in purity and love. While some Umbanda houses associate them with Oshun and Oshumare, others recognise their connection to the twin Orishas known as Ibeji—male and female forces representing duality, birth, and harmony.
Despite their innocent tone, the Children are powerful spiritual agents. They:
- Cleanse energies through lightness
- Heal with affection and elemental magic
- Speak truth with disarming simplicity
- Transform heavy emotional states into renewal
When to Seek Their Help
People often seek them for help with family matters, pregnancy, emotional wounds, and spiritual protection for children. They also tend to offer quick responses to requests—but they always expect their promised gifts in return. When you make a promise to them—such as offering sweets or toys in gratitude for a granted request—you should fulfill it promptly. If you forget, the Erês may gently, or not so gently, remind you through unexpected playfulness. Failing to deliver can lead to surprising “playful” reminders.
Names and Archetypes: How Erês Express Their Energy
The Meaning Behind Their Names
Each Child in the Linha das Crianças (Line of Children) carries a distinct essence, often expressed through their name, gestures, and beloved objects. Names like Mariazinha da Beira-da-Praia or Joãozinho da Pedreira go beyond affection—they hint at deeper spiritual connections. The former may reveal a bond with Yemanjá, gentle and nurturing, while the latter suggests an alignment with Shango, strong and just.
These extended names act as spiritual markers, reflecting traits, affinities, and even the Orishá’s energy guiding that spirit. Their personalities shine through how they move and speak—one may dance and laugh, another whisper softly while holding a doll. What may appear as playful behavior is, in truth, a subtle form of healing, teaching, and spiritual realignment.
Sacred Symbols and Objects
These traits are complemented by their fondness for sweets, toys, and bright objects—not merely symbolic, but deeply expressive of their presence. Each item—a ribbon, a slingshot, a slice of cake—carries meaning, anchoring their work in joy and simplicity while echoing the sacred harmony they bring to the terreiro.
Celebrating the Linha das Crianças: Rituals, Festivals, and Offerings
One of the most beloved times in the Umbanda calendar is the festival of Cosmes and Damian, celebrated on September 27th. These saints, syncretized with the Ibeji, are honored with sweets, toys, and traditional dishes like caruru and aluá. The festivities often last until October 25th, recognizing spiritual siblings Crispim and Crispiniano.
The presence of the Children during these times is overwhelming and joyful. Their arrival transforms the terreiro into a playground of laughter, music, and magic. Yet beneath the surface lies sacred work: emotional healing, spiritual cleansing, and the activation of joy as a force of transformation.
Symbols, Tools, and Spiritual Traits of the Erês in Umbanda
A Force Beneath the Surface
Despite their appearance, Children are not to be underestimated. They are masters of elemental magic, capable of working with natural energies. Their spiritual mission is profound, and they often arrive after the incorporation of intense entities to help discharge the medium and bring emotional lightness. they are highly respected by other spirit lines like the Caboclos and Pretos-Velhos.
Healing Through Innocence
When we laugh with the Children or offer them sweets, we’re not just participating in tradition—we’re engaging with spirits who remind us of our true essence. They help us reconnect with our inner child, balance both medium and terreiro, release emotional burdens, and return to a state of openness and love.
Beyond the Veil: The Spiritual Life of Children After Death
In Umbanda, there’s also a recognition of the spiritual life of children who have passed away. These spirits continue their journey surrounded by love, protected, and supported. They are never alone. During sleep, family members often meet them in dreams, maintaining bonds and bringing comfort.
Understanding this dimension invites us to approach death—not with despair—but with trust in spiritual continuity. When our grief is quieted by spiritual knowledge, we honor the joy that still surrounds them.
Greeting the Children in Umbanda
In Umbanda rituals, it is traditional to greet the Erês with the expressions Onibejada! or Bejê Erô! These greetings carry joy and respect, acknowledging their presence and inviting their purity and sweetness into the space.
A Simple Umbanda Ritual Inspired by the Erês in Umbanda
This simple Umbanda ritual offers a moment of reconnection with the joy and purity of the Erês. It is not meant to invoke them directly, but to open space for reflection, sincerity, and inner light.
What You Need:
- A white candle (to illuminate and invite peace)
- An assortment of colorful candies or sweets arranged in pairs (avoid chocolate; choose bright, joyful treats)
- A clean and quiet place, indoors or in a garden
Steps:
- Light the candle and place it beside the paired candies, ensuring the flame softly illuminates the space.
- Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths, releasing any tension.
- Offer a simple prayer or words of intention—ask to reconnect with your inner child, to rediscover joy, innocence, or any childlike quality your spirit may be longing for.
- Remain in silence for a few moments, embracing the presence of this intention.
- When finished, allow the candle to burn safely or extinguish it gently.
- Dispose of the remains respectfully, honoring the simplicity of the act.
This ritual is an act of presence and gratitude—an invitation to the gentle energy of the Erês. Through this small offering, we build a bridge between worlds, inviting the Erês not through complexity, but through sweetness, light, and heartfelt intention.
Reflections and Invitation
The Erês remind us that joy is sacred, that laughter can be a form of healing, and that purity is not naivety but a powerful force for transformation. They invite us to reconnect with what is light, sincere, and whole within ourselves. In their playful presence lies the wisdom of beginnings, the opening of the heart, and the first step in any spiritual journey.
Have you ever received guidance from the Erês, felt their presence in a ritual, or performed a simple offering in their honor? Share your story or thoughts in the comments—your voice enriches this ongoing conversation.
Onibejada! Bejê Erô!
May the Children fill your path with sweetness and your heart with light.
Ashé—until our paths cross again.
Dive Deeper: See our Blog about What Is Umbanda? Origins, Beliefs, and Spiritual Practices and about The Strength and Spirit of Boiadeiros and Boiadeiras in Umbanda
