Festivities afro-religious in Santa Catarina: symbology of faith and power

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between symbology, faith and power in afro-Brazilian religions in Santa Catarina (State of Brazil), from the detailed analysis of the “Festa dos Pretos Velhos” (Festivity of the Old Black), which occurred in the decade of 1970 in the “terreiro” (place of cults of the religions afro-Brazilian) of first yalorixá (priestess of the terreiro) of Santa Catarina which opened the doors to the public. The detailed description of the geopolitics structure of the place of festivity, imbricated closely with the elaboration of symbology and religious scenarios, reveals the intricate network of social and political relations of the afro-Brazilian religiosity during that period of time and in that geographical space.