Felipe Neto apologizes publicly after using religious term

The influencer Felipe Neto publicly apologized after using the religious term tranca-rua pejoratively during a horror‑game livestream on his channel. The comment sparked backlash after the content creator associated the expression with the devil and later acknowledged that he had made a serious mistake out of ignorance.

The expression used during the game

While recording a horror game on his channel, the influencer used the expression when talking about entities and the devil. At that moment he mentioned the fear of the cramulhão and the tranca‑rua, stating that he did not know the names attributed to the devil. The remark was broadcast publicly before the creator became aware of the true meaning of the religious expression.

Recognition of the mistake and request for forgiveness

After the episode, the influencer returned to the public eye to admit the error and ask forgiveness from practitioners of African‑derived religions. He explained that he had always thought the term was a nickname for the devil, but learned that it refers to Exu, a figure that is not linked to anything bad. The content creator labeled the act as a serious mistake caused by lack of knowledge and promised not to repeat it.

What tranca‑rua is in African‑derived religions

The term tranca‑rua, or tranca‑ruas, refers to an important line of exus in African‑derived religions. In the traditions of Umbanda and Quimbanda, the entity acts as guardian of paths and crossroads, being responsible for opening and closing ways, performing astral cleansing and offering protection against negative energies and unbalanced spirits.

The historical demonization of these religions

Answering followers' questions about whether the entity is considered something bad, the influencer clarified that Exu is not an evil entity. According to the explanations he shared, this incorrect association arose from the historical demonization of African‑derived religions. The creator highlighted that the figure is linked to paths, communication and movement, with meanings that vary between Candomblé and Umbanda.

The importance of using visibility for correction

The influencer also emphasized the relevance of leveraging visibility to correct misconceptions and provide accurate information to the public. According to him, it is not enough to merely apologize when a mistake is made; it is necessary to use the opportunity to raise awareness among people who are unfamiliar with the subject.

With information from UOL, O Dia, Metrópoles.