Umbanda is a religion that flourishes in diversity and the beauty of plurality. It embraces religious syncretism as one of its fundamental principles, blending Christianity, African traditions, and Indigenous and spiritualist beliefs into a sacred harmony. The Christian God, the Creator, and Jesus Christ as the spiritual guide are revered, alongside the African Orixás, powerful ancestral entities that represent the forces of nature and life. The connection with ancestors, through spiritual communication, reinforces Umbanda’s deep bond with spirituality and the respect for those who came before us. In Umbanda, there is no room for prejudice. Homosexuality is treated with the same respect and dignity as any other form of human existence. No distinctions are made based on color, race, gender, or sexual orientation. Everyone is welcomed in the temple, at the altar, and in the religious practice. Acceptance of diversity is an integral part of what makes Umbanda a universal and inclusive religion, a space where all can feel embraced and loved without exception. The practice of charity is one of Umbanda’s fundamental pillars. Helping others, whether through spiritual passes, guidance, or material acts, is the most genuine expression of love and compassion. Here, followers are not bound by rigid dogmas or an oppressive religious hierarchy. Umbanda offers spiritual freedom, allowing each person to find their own path within the faith, with an open heart and a mind ready for constant learning. Born in Brazil, Umbanda is deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, but its teachings and principles are universal. It respects all religions, understanding that each spiritual path has its own value and importance. Umbanda does not place itself above other traditions but coexists peacefully with all forms of belief, promoting dialogue and understanding between different expressions of faith. Additionally, Umbanda serves as a direct channel for communication with spirits. Through mediums, spiritual guides deliver messages of wisdom, healing, and love. This spiritual exchange strengthens the faith and the connection of practitioners with the invisible world, showing that life continues in another dimension and that spirits are always present, offering help and protection. This book is an invitation to explore and understand the richness of this Brazilian religion, which transcends borders, breaks down barriers, and teaches us the true meaning of tolerance, brotherhood, and universal faith. As you immerse yourself in these pages, may you feel the vibrant energy of Umbanda and discover a new spiritual horizon.

The Diaspora of Brazilian Religions explores the global spread of religions originating in Brazil, a country that has emerged as a major pole of religious innovation and production. Through ethnographically-rich case studies throughout the world, ranging from the Americas (Canada, the U.S., Peru, and Argentina) and Europe (the U.K., Portugal, and the Netherlands) to Asia (Japan) and Oceania (Australia), the book examines the conditions, actors, and media that have made possible the worldwide construction, circulation, and consumption of Brazilian religious identities, practices, and lifestyles, including those connected with indigenized forms of Pentecostalism and Catholicism, African-based religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda, as well as diverse expressions of New Age Spiritism and Ayahuasca-centered neo-shamanism like Vale do Amanhecer and Santo Daime. Contributors include Ushi Arakaki, Dario Paulo Barrera Rivera, Brenda Carranza, Anthony D'Andrea, Sara Delamont, Alejandro Frigerio, Alberto Groisman, Annick Hernandez, Clara Mafra, Cecília Mariz, Deirdre Meintel, Carmen Rial, Cristina Rocha, Camila Sampaio, Clara Saraiva, Olivia Sheringham, Neil Stephens, José Claúdio Souza Alves, Claudia Swatowiski, and Manuel A. Vásquez.

The Umbanda religion summons the spirits of old slaves and Brazilian Indians to speak through the mouths of mediums in trance. Its practitioners worship African gods, often calling them by the names of Catholic saints; simultaneously embrace the concepts of karma, reincarnation, and Christian charity; and believe in the capacities of both modern science and ancient magic. A relatively new religion dating to the beginning of the twentieth century, Umbanda has its origins in Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding urban areas where Afro-Brazilians, many ex-slaves or the descendants of slaves, practiced versions of the religion handed down to them by their ancestors. Umbanda's popularity has grown tremendously over the past century, attracting not only those who seek the assistance of spirits in solving problems in their lives, but those in pursuit of a path to a rich spiritual life and a fellowship of faith and service. Over the course of nearly a decade, Lindsay Hale spent countless hours attending rituals and festivals and interviewing participants of Umbanda, immersing himself in this fascinating religious world. In describing its many aspects and exploring its unique place within the lives of a wide variety of practitioners, Hale places Umbanda spiritual beliefs and practices within the broader context of Brazilian history and culture.

This book examines the spiritual community of the followers of St. Francis of Wounds in the town of Canindé in northeast Brazil. Their tradition involves pilgrimage and the practice of crafting unique offerings in payment for healing and reversal of bad fortune--a practice predating Christianity and brought to the new world by explorers and early European colonial powers. King argues that these marginalized Brazilians, living in a region where poverty is endemic, use St. Francis of Wounds to replace the medical and social services that the government has failed to provide. She further illustrates the evolution of the regional practice with photographs documenting all stages of this tradition, especially the folk art ex-votos used to pay for the saint's intervention.

Being a gringo in Brazil is terrific! Are you planning on visiting or working in Brazil? Becoming Brazilian will guide you through the intricacy of Brazilian culture and give you a deeper understanding of the country. Brazilians are a warm and optimistic people, who welcome foreigners. This book will help you interact with Brazilians to make your visit more memorable or your business trip more productive. The first part of the book covers cross cultural differences that will aid the reader to navigate both social and business interactions. Brazil is a rich mix of cultures and regions. This book explains the regional differences in Brazil though its celebrations, beliefs, customs, and gastronomy. Becoming Brazilian focuses on the history and themes of major topics of Brazilian life. Brazil is the only country in the western hemisphere to have been united under a monarchy. Today's major issues in Brazil are rooted in this unique history. Becoming Brazilian is not a tour guide nor a travel guide. Becoming Brazilian is a guide for living and interacting with Brazilians to give the reader a deeper experience during their time in this great country.

Inspired by the neoliberal paradigm that transposes religious behaviors into a religious marketplace framed by consumerist and capitalist models, this volume draws on ethnographic fieldwork to discuss the assemblage between the well-being trope and the rise of new spiritualities, as well as their deep permeation within mainstream culture. Building on previous literature that addresses the relationship between spirituality, healing and well-being, this text discusses the religious roots of mind-body practices. The contributions offer a critical perspective on the scope, limits and impacts of the current celebration of spiritualities. Part I provides theoretical insights for thinking about ways in which the prevalent ethics of well-being reframes subjectivities within the margins of neoliberal order. Part II demonstrates how spiritual economies are promoted, shaped and regulated by institutional forces such as States, law and the labor market. In part III, contributors describe in detail how spiritual economies unfold in specific cultural and social settings. The text appeals to students and researchers working on the spirituality and sociology of religion.

"One of the best books that has been written on religion and politics in Latin America. It is theoretically deft and empirically rich."—Scott Mainwaring, University of Notre Dame