Pemba is a tapered, round-shaped piece of chalk made of limestone that may have different colors, used ritualistically in Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé, Umbanda, Quimbanda and Quiumbanda.
Its main function in rituals is for the writing of the crossed out point. Being a sacred spelling, it may have different geometric shapes and traces, which represents a certain phalanx of spirits or guide.
In Candomblé, the points are referred to the different orishas that are worshiped. The powder has use for energy cleansing and protection rituals.
References
- "O que é a Pemba para a Umbanda?". Umbanda 24 Horas. March 21, 2015.
- Pemba: a grafia sagrada dos orixás. Thesaurus Editora. December 18, 1990. ISBN 9788570620200 – via Google Books.