THIS ESSAY recalls the life and work of two eminent personalities of the Candomble religion in Bahia in the 1830s: babalaô [Yoruba priest] Martiniano Eliseu do Bonfim and ialorixá Eugênia Ana dos Santos, the renowned Aninha, spiritual director and priestess of the Cruz Santa do Axé do Apo Afonjá Center. Martiniano, born in Bahia, was the son of emancipated slaves. He was sent by his father to study the Yoruba language and African traditions in Lagos, Nigeria, and upon returning to Salvador, became a religious leader, maintaining close relationships with noted intellectuals from Bahia. Aninha was another model figure among the religious communities of the terreiros [ritual grounds of the Candomble religion], who stood out for her incontrovertible leadership ability. Both Martiniano and Aninha contributed to the huge success of the Second Afro-Brazilian Congress held in Salvador in January 1937.
