About Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká
Religion, Other Temples, Interesting Places
Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká is a Candomblé terreiro in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. It is also known as the Casa Branca do Engenho Velho, Terreiro Casa Branca, or simply the Casa Branca. It is located on Vasco da Gama Avenue in the Engenho Velho neighborhood of Salvador. The terreiro is associated with the Ketu branch of the religion and is publicly represented by the Sociedade São Jorge do Engenho Velho. Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká was incorporated by the mid-19th century but traces its lineage an earlier period. Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká is considered to be the oldest Candomblé terreiro in Brazil, and was the first non-Roman Catholic and first Afro-Brazilian religious place of worship to receive heritage status from the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN). The terreiro covers 6,800 square metres (73,000 sq ft) and includes religious structures, sacred objects, trees associated with Candomblé rituals, and open space.
