Spiritualism, African Deities, and Sacred Plants : Brazilian Religiosity and Multifaceted Syncretism.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Campani, Giovanna.

Contributor:

Herzfeld, Claudia.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (0 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Bradford : Ethics International Press Limited, 2025.

Summary:

The book aims to explore how religious syncretism and multifaceted Brazilian spirituality represent an attempt at unifying Brazil's heterogeneous population and cultures and, at the same, a global trend in modernity and post-modernity. Because of historical processes and contemporary dynamics (New Age, globalization), Brazil is an essentially syncretistic nation. Historically, Afro-Catholicism syncretism has been a way for African diaspora's conquered cultures to preserve their religious identity by incorporating elements of the dominant religion; nowadays the Afro religious universe has become a universal religious proposal, irrespective of nation, ethnicity, race, or color. Intertwined with Kardecism, a late comer in Brazil, Afro religious beliefs and practices have led to the emergence of new religious expressions as the Umbanda. Originated in France, Kardecist spiritualism has become fundamental in shaping Brazilian religious culture. More recent expressions of Brazilian religious syncretism are the "ayahuasca" religions (Santo Daime, Barquinha, União do Vegetal), whose spiritual experiences blend demands coming from various segments of social groups -from rural workers to intellectuals and artists - and indigenous rituals. In the last forty years, New Age spirituality, "ayahuasca" religions and neo-shamanism have developed along blurred borders, expanding outside Brazil, while the indigenous traditions have reemerged through processes of ethnic revitalization.

Contents:

Intro

Acknowledgment

Preface

Introduction

Afro-Catholicism Syncretism from the Colony to the 20th Century

How Allan Kardec's Spiritualism Disappeared in France and Flourished in Brazil

Umbanda Branca (White Umbanda), Umbanda Omoloko (Africanized Umbanda) and Umbanda Esoterica (Esoteric Umbanda)

The Ayahuasca Syncretic Religions

Neo-Shamanism and Indigenous Traditions

References

_Hlk189424865.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-83711-095-6