Brazilian Ayahuasca Religions
Fieldwork in Religion April 12, 2008 Robin M. Wright 3 citations
A new collection of articles examines the origins and evolution of religious movements centered on ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage made from vines and leaves found in Western Amazonia. The movements began with indigenous peoples and mestizo herbalists, later spreading through migrant rubber-tappers from northeastern Brazil. In the 1960s, urbanites in Brazilian and European cities sought alternative religious inspiration through the ritual use of ayahuasca. By the 1990s, Brazilian researchers combined anthropological, religious, and legal expertise to protect the religious freedom necessary for these movements. As the religions diversify and globalize, the article identifies new directions for field research.