Our lovely commenter Stephanie, who only practices good magic like wriggling her nose to conjure up a dish of coconut flan, informed us that the name of Camila Alves’ (Matthew McConaughey’s girlfriend and bongo playing partner) line of bags takes its name from Brazilian black magic voodoo hoop-dee-doo. “Muxo” is “Oxum” backwards. Oxum is apparently the name of an African river goddess. Stephanie The Good informs us that this goddess isassociated with Macumba which, in Camila’s native Brazil, means “black magic.” Basically, Camila is an emissary of Satan who leaps naked under a full moon, screaming in tongues and planting placenta trees. Some more about Macumba:

The word “macumba” is frequently used in Brazil to refer to any ritual or religion of African origin (as slang), and although its use by non-practitioners remains largely pejorative in intent (referring to all sorts of religious (or otherwise) superstitions and luck-related rituals and beliefs), and is considered offensive, its use among actual practitioners is not viewed negatively. In Brazil one can find expressions such as “chuta que é macumba” (“kick it out, for it is witchcraft!”) to show disagreement with bad luck.

Charming. Exotic. Vibrant. A little research (Cough, Google, cough.) shows that Oxum, seen here in her signature gold-colored gown, is actually associated with the Candomblé Ketu religion, which originated with Yoruba slaves brought to Brazil. In Ketu, Oxum is associated with rivers, gold and love. And, now, with purses.

So, as we see it, Camilla may be doing a little more to cast bad vibes on a religion rather than the other way around. But just wait until our “Ayamey” line of crotchless panties and boxed wine comes out this Fall. We’ll show her a thing or two about decimating a religion with style.

Macumba [Wikipedia]
Candomblé Ketu [Wikipedia]