In this research, I find out how Afro-Brazilian women under oppression can benefit from the Afro-Brazilian religions of Candomblé and Umbanda. The theoretical framework is the intersectional theory, in which gender and race are the most prominent categories, along with class, sexuality, and (implicitly) religion. The data come from digital ethnographic research, through observations of documentaries on YouTube, in which Afro-Brazilian religious adherents tell and show their worldview. Also, two Umbandan ceremonies were observed in Brazil in real-time. I make the observations as an outsider, suggesting interpretations by a Western scholar, and recognizing my blind frame. The research shows that Afro-Brazilian women have a religious context in Afro-Brazilian religions, where they gain respect, dignity, and opportunities for leadership positions, particularly due to the matriarchal structure. The history of slavery is honored by ceremonies in which contact with ancestors is key. The Afro-Brazilians can here be role models, welcoming people who have been despising them through history, and treating all as equals; in contrast to white ignorance, a central attribute of social oppression. Many opponents of Afro-Brazilian religions accuse the religions of being witchcraft. For instance, the increasingly larger group of Neo-Pentecostal adherents. On the other hand, the Afro-Brazilian religions gain increasingly more tolerance among other people in power, creating a polarized religious climate in Brazil. The adherents of the Afro-Brazilian religions value their religious identity highly, including their religious nickname, particular clothes, and usage of African languages. The temples offer them a community where they are valued as individuals and recognize the history of Afro-Brazilians.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-532456 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Hagberg, Fanny |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Teologiska institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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