A guiding spirit within Umbanda
Tradition holds that Arruda was an indigenous man born along the banks of the Amazon River, likely in the 18th century. Within Umbanda's spiritual legions he is remembered chiefly for teachings on charity and faith, and practitioners describe him as continuing to guide a number of terreiros (houses of worship) today.
Devotional songs
Devotees honor him with pontos cantados — sung invocations traditional to Umbanda — whose lyrics call on his protective force, understood within the tradition as acting under the guidance of the Virgin Mary.