in a notable example of the cross-pollination of european and african traditions and beliefs in brazil, a practice called syncretism, săo jorge is also venerated in african religions umbanda and candomblé, as the god of metals, ogum.

Ogun is a powerful Orisha (deity), owner of iron and fire - a warrior and defender of the law and the weak, who does not like being invoked in vain.

The day of the week devoted to Ogun is Tuesday, coinciding with the day dedicated by the Romans to Mars, the god of war.

with the mix of african and european cultures in brazil, saint george has become a combination of ogum,  and the christian traditional ideal of saint george, since both were men who were mighty warriors and protectors of the oppressed, and it helped disguise the practice of the forbidden religion.