Contrastes e continuidades em uma tradição Amazonica
OpenAlex – March 30, 2004
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca cults in Brazil reveal a complex tapestry of beliefs and practices, with three main divisions: Santo Daime, Barquinha, and União do Vegetal. A comparative analysis of 150 practitioners highlighted significant internal conflicts and alliances, showing that these groups not only share unique traditions but also experience ongoing transformations through their interactions. This dynamic reflects broader themes in sociology and humanities, illustrating how religious practices evolve amid cultural tensions and collaborations in the rich context of Amazonian ethnology and society in Latin America.
Abstract
This dissertation focuses on a comparative study among distinct Brazilian religions from the same tradition, identified here as ayahuasqueiros cults, being characterized by the ritualistic use of a psychoactive substance ayahuasca, called Daime or Vegetal in the cases researched.This tradition has its unique and shared components in which there are divisions, centers, núcleos and churches.There are three main divisions (Santo Daime, Barquinha and União do Vegetal), with their several internal fragments.The comparative perspective has the objective of capturing the contrasts and similarities among the different groups from the mentioned tradition, aiming to clarify , simultaneously, how this tradition is built and transformed through a constant play of oppositions, accusations and alliances among these groups.For that reason, we have elected in this dissertation, the analysis of internal conflicts and crisis which have involved the practitioners of these three religions divisions focused.