The origin of Afro Brazilian religions is traced back to the Atlantic slave trade that took place in the 16th century . Portuguese people captured individuals from Bantu tribes and the other West African communities. The slave trade involved the transfer of these people to Brazil, where they were sold as slaves. The interaction of slaves from different cultural and religious backgrounds led to the development of the Afro Brazilian religions that consequently spread all over Brazil. The religions did not; however, develop at once since they faced opposition from the then government that recognized the Roman Catholic as the only religion in Brazil. Attempts by Africans to worship in their own culture were counteracted until in 1824 when the country passed a law allowing everyone to join a religion of his/her choice. There are many religions in the world. Religions differ from one community to another and from one region to the other . Due to the recognition of the freedom of worship, many religions have emerged, most of which are based on the ethical background of an individual. Some religions have resulted from the interaction of different cultures. This essay will focus on the Afro-Brazilian Religions that are believed to have resulted from the interaction of people from different cultural backgrounds. The essay will analyze the religions and critically evaluate the effect of class, gender and race on these religions.
Communities involved
Due to the high demand for labor brought about by the large sugar plantations in Brazil, a good number of Africans were transported to the county to provide labor. Africans have taken to Brazil came from two major groups, the West African people and the Bantus. The West African communities main...
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...Moura Silva, and Alba Pedreira Vieira. 2007. Ballroom Dance as Therapy for the Elderly in Brazil. American Journal of Dance Therapy.
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In Samba, Alma Guillermoprieto describes the Carnival celebrated every year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and explores the black cultural roots from which it takes its traditions as well as its social, economic, and political context in the 1980s. From her firsthand experience and investigation into favela life and the role of samba schools, specifically of Manguiera, Guillermoprieto illustrates a complex image of race relations in Brazil. The hegemonic character of samba culture in Brazil stands as a prevalent theme in numerous facets of favela life, samba schools, and racial interactions like the increasing involvement of white Brazilians in Carnival preparation and the popularity of mulatas with white Brazilians and tourists. Rio de Janeiro’s early development as a city was largely segregated after the practice of slavery ended. The centralization of Afro-Brazilians in favelas in the hills of the city strengthened their ties to black
In the written piece “Noble Savages” by John Hemming he give an historic account of different European adventures in the Brazilian mainland. He also tells some of the stories about the Brazilian people that were taken back to Europe about the savages’ way of life.
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Veloso, Caetano, and Barbara Einzig. Tropical Truth: A Story of Music and Revolution in Brazil. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo, 2003. Print.
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Toyin, Falola. “The Power of African Cultures.” Woodbridge, Suffolk, United Kingdom: University of Rochester Press, 2003. Print
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