A pessoa é para o que nasce: um estudo sobre mudança de status e relações de poder no candomblé

Abstract

This study aims to explore some ambiguities of the candomblé, starting from the issue of status changes and the power relations. This is about a study case which highlights the story of a mãe de santo and the establishment process of her terreiro, in contrast with general ideas about candomblé and which supposed was the rules of religion. Before becoming mãe de santo, Carla was equede in another terreiro led by her biological father. The rupture with the terreiro and the status change from equede to mãe de santo caused controversy, because this change could not occur without being sent to some kind of initiation error. However, it is known that this kind of change is not uncommon, but depends on a number of conditions and situations that guide the religious practices in candomblé. Moreover, it is intended to also address issues relating to the structure of the família de santo and conflicts arising from the interposition between blood and saint ties, and the relationship with the umbanda religious world and their cosmological implications and rituals.