This thesis examines how the Candomblé terreiro in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, the Terreiro Ilê Axé Opô Afonjá, contributes to the promotion of human rights, governance, and the formation of Afro-Brazilian identity. Based on extensive document analysis and supported by interviews and indirect sources, the study investigates the historical roots, activism, and cultural significance of the terreiro within the historical, cultural, and religious context of Afro-Brazilian communities. Drawing on interdisciplinary material, including Religious Studies, Human Rights, and Cultural Anthropology, the research explores how Candomblé’s cosmovision, rooted in the celebration of Orixá spirits, informs human rights, social justice, and cultural preservation. The analysis focuses on how the terreiro (as a religious community) engages in human rights advocacy, community empowerment, and cultural revitalization efforts, while also examining its interactions with government institutions and civil society organizations. By exploring the complex relationships between religion, rights, and governance in Bahia, Brazil, this thesis aims to provide a deeper understanding of how spirituality, activism, and cultural identity intersect across diverse social and cultural contexts.
FAITH AND ACTIVISM IN THE RELIGION OF ORIXÁS: A STUDY OF TERREIRO ILÊ AXÉ OPÔ AFONJÁ AND ITS ROLE IN PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND AFRO-BRAZILIAN IDENTITY IN BAHIA
DOS SANTOS, ARIADNE FRANCIS
2023/2024
Abstract
This thesis examines how the Candomblé terreiro in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, the Terreiro Ilê Axé Opô Afonjá, contributes to the promotion of human rights, governance, and the formation of Afro-Brazilian identity. Based on extensive document analysis and supported by interviews and indirect sources, the study investigates the historical roots, activism, and cultural significance of the terreiro within the historical, cultural, and religious context of Afro-Brazilian communities. Drawing on interdisciplinary material, including Religious Studies, Human Rights, and Cultural Anthropology, the research explores how Candomblé’s cosmovision, rooted in the celebration of Orixá spirits, informs human rights, social justice, and cultural preservation. The analysis focuses on how the terreiro (as a religious community) engages in human rights advocacy, community empowerment, and cultural revitalization efforts, while also examining its interactions with government institutions and civil society organizations. By exploring the complex relationships between religion, rights, and governance in Bahia, Brazil, this thesis aims to provide a deeper understanding of how spirituality, activism, and cultural identity intersect across diverse social and cultural contexts.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/77438