It developed in the Portuguese Empire among Kongo and Mbundu slaves who spoke Kikongo and Kimbundu languages.

Below him are the Jinkisi or Minkisi, deities of Bantu mythology.

These deities resemble Olorun and the other orishas of the Yoruba religion.

Minkisi is a Kongo language term: it is the plural of Nkisi, meaning "receptacle".

"Banto" was a generic term used by the Portuguese in Brazil to describe people who spoke Bantu languages.