Return to Nature: Sacred Plants in the Azerin Funerary Rite of Candomblé Nação Angola

During the transatlantic diaspora, enslaved Africans brought cultural and religious elements to Brazil, such as <i>Candomblé</i>, that deeply influenced local society. In <i>Candomblé</i> communities of Bantu origin, the death of an initiate requires specific rites, such as the <i>Azerin</i>. In this ritual practice, sacred plants are selected according to their associations with deities and their capacity to provide spiritual protection. Each plant used holds particular meanings and is deliberately chosen to create an atmosphere of respect and reverence for the deceased. This study analyzes the symbolism and ritual functions of plants in the <i>Azerin</i> funeral rite of <i>Candomblé Nação</i> Angola, with emphasis on their role in spiritual protection. Participant observation and review of specialized literature were employed to describe the rite and its vegetal repertoire. Five sacred plant species were identified (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i> Jacq, <i>Raphia vinifera</i> P.Beauv., <i>Dracaena fragrans</i> (L.) Ker Gawl., <i>Lagenaria siceraria</i> (Molina) Standl. and, <i>Morus nigra</i> L.), whose functions range from protection against <i>Eguns</i> to the material representation of the initiate's body. The results indicate that, in the <i>Azerin</i>, plants do not merely express protection but operate as mediating elements in communication with ancestors, structuring the greeting and continuity of ancestor worship in <i>Candomblé Nação</i> Angola. The study thus expands the understanding of ritual plants in Afro-Brazilian religiosity and the biocultural heritage of these communities.