A religião dos bantos: novas leituras sobre o calundu no Brasil colonial

Abstract

This article aims to present a synthesis of the main characteristics of the Bantu African religious tradition. The idea is to demonstrate that the knowledge about the symbolic repertory of the Calundu practitioners may stimulate new reflections about this religious experience of colonial times. We so intend to stimulate future investigations that will not consider syncretism as an element of dilution of the African heritage, but will pay attention to the ways Bantu religious traditions have survived and have been transformed in Brazil.