President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) mourned the death of Carmen Oliveira da Silva, Mother Carmen de Oxaguian, who died this Friday (26/12), at the age of 98. In a message on
Janja and I are deeply saddened by the departure of dear Mother Carmen de Oxaguian, who led with great love, for more than twenty years, one of the most important Candomblé terreiros in Brazil, Ilé Ìyá Omi Àse Ìyamase, known in prose and verse as Terreiro do…
– Lula (@LulaOficial) December 26, 2025
Mother Carmen had been hospitalized for about two weeks at the Português Hospital, in Salvador (BA), treated for a serious flu.
Born in Salvador on December 29, 1926, she was initiated into Candomblé at the age of 7, for the cult of Oxalá, the Orixá of her head.
Younger daughter of the legendary Mãe Menininha do Gantois, one of the most important ialorixás in the history of Candomblé, Mãe Carmen dedicated her life to faith, the worship of the Orixás and the preservation of Afro-Brazilian religious traditions.
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