O segredo no cadomblé: relações de poder e crise de autoridade

Abstract

This research is about the relation between knowledge, secret rituals and power in Candomble religion. Throughout history in African-Brazilian religious communities we realize the secret ritualassumes different configurations. Looking at the religious life of the adherents of Candomblé we can seethat the practice of secret ritual is a powerful mechanism for establishing and maintaining power. The traditional religious knowledge, which is usually transmitted in an initiatory context, can be considered as a key element in the composition of sacred hierarchies. In this case, the appropriation of the secret ritual contents is a way to find its place in the hierarchical spheres of religion. When knowledge takes a different way to the religious life on the Candomblé terraces, the traditional forms of its transmission gets circumvented and settle a power struggle which can result in a crisis of authority, by the elders. In a perspective of power relations analysis, this research looks to contribute in the studies context of the Afro-Brazilian religions