Rethinking Bastide's Works on Umbanda and Quimbanda Magic in Brazil
Journal name: Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions
Original article title: Umbanda and Quimbanda Magic in Brazil : Rethinking Aspects of Bastide's Works / Magie Umbanda et Quimbanda au Brésil. A propos d'aspects des travaux de Bastide
The journal “Archives of Social Sciences of Religions� publishes advanced research on religion in French, English, and Spanish. It studies the sociology of religions and religious traditions or theologies. It is supported by the INSHS-CNRS (“Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales�)
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David J. Hess
Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions:
(Founded in 1956 and published quarterly�)
Full text available for: Umbanda and Quimbanda Magic in Brazil : Rethinking Aspects of Bastide's Works / Magie Umbanda et Quimbanda au Brésil. A propos d'aspects des travaux de Bastide
Year: 1992
Copyright (license): © Archives de sciences sociales des religions
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
David J. Hess's essay critically examines Roger Bastide's theories on Umbanda and Quimbanda, two Afro-Brazilian religions often viewed in contrast to the more structured rituals of Candomblé in Bahia. Bastide proposed that the former represented a “religious disintegration� marked by simplistic and unstructured rites, particularly in urban settings of southeastern Brazil. In response, Hess aims to provide a comparative structural analysis that demonstrates internal logic within the rituals of Umbanda and Quimbanda, challenging Bastide's views on the coherence and distinction between these practices.
The Unity of Umbanda and Quimbanda Magic
One of the critical concepts introduced in Hess's work is the idea that Umbanda and Quimbanda magic functions as a unified system rather than independent categories. This perspective stems from an examination of popular literature and ritual practices, where both forms of magic contain overlapping elements, including shared symbols, rituals, and objectives. Hess highlights that despite the traditional distinctions where Umbanda is considered �white magic� and Quimbanda �black magic,� many practitioners see them as part of a continuous spectrum of magical practices. The essay details numerous rituals to illustrate this point, showing how they often share fundamental elements, thereby complicating the simplistic binary proposed by Bastide.
Critique of the Disorderly Nature of Quimbanda Magic
Hess also challenges Bastide’s assertion that Quimbanda magic is disordered and incoherent. By synthesizing various texts and extracting common ritual elements, Hess reveals that Quimbanda magic possesses a coherent grammar and structure, contrary to Bastide’s characterization of it as a chaotic amalgamation of borrowed traditions. Hess provides examples from the rituals that illustrate an inherent logic connecting the practitioners' intentions, actions, and symbolic offerings. This comprehensive framework presents Quimbanda magic as intentional and ritualized, rather than a “jumble of objects and rites� lacking significance.
Ritual Transformation and Mediation
Another significant concept discussed is the notion of ritual transformation, wherein specific rituals evolve or shift across the spectrum from Quimbanda to Umbanda. Hess details how certain rituals dedicated to different figures, like Exu or Iemanjá, can function as intermediaries that symbolize varying degrees of aggression and benevolence. The rituals demonstrate that while some may adhere more strictly to Quimbanda's darker magic, they can transform to accommodate elements of Umbanda, bridging the supposed divide between the two. This transformation reinforces the idea that both Umbanda and Quimbanda operate within a combined magical system, with intermediaries that reflect broader cultural practices and beliefs.
The Social Context of Umbanda and Quimbanda Magic
Hess emphasizes the contextual significance of Umbanda and Quimbanda, arguing against the view that they are merely residual practices reflective of a disintegrated tradition. Instead, he posits that these rituals articulate socio-cultural hierarchies and client-patron relationships inherent in Brazilian society as a whole. By embedding themselves within contemporary urban landscapes, rituals of Umbanda and Quimbanda reflect and challenge existing social dynamics, thereby affirming the relevance of these practices. The analysis reveals how these magical systems provide symbolic frameworks through which practitioners navigate their identities and social realities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hess's essay presents a compelling argument against mainstream interpretations of Umbanda and Quimbanda as chaotic or simplistic in nature. By highlighting the coherent structures, transformative rituals, and socio-cultural contexts of these religious practices, he reframes the dialogue surrounding Afro-Brazilian religions, particularly in contrast to Bastide’s analyses. The examination underscores the dynamic and syncretic qualities of Umbanda and Quimbanda, countering the notion of disintegration with evidence of an integrated and meaningful magical system that influences and reflects broader societal structures.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of David J. Hess's essay?
The essay analyzes Umbanda and Quimbanda magic, questioning Roger Bastide's interpretations. It presents evidence for the coherence and continuity between these magical practices, presenting them as a unified system rather than disorganized rituals.
How does Roger Bastide view Umbanda and Quimbanda magic?
Bastide considered Umbanda a more structured evolution of Macumba and Quimbanda as chaotic. He characterized Quimbanda as 'black magic' lacking order, associating its practices with socio-economic issues faced by the urban Afro-Brazilian proletariat.
What criticisms does Hess offer regarding Bastide's analysis?
Hess critiques Bastide's perspective as overly Afro-centric and problematic, arguing that he fails to recognize the internal logic and coherence present in the magic of Umbanda and Quimbanda.
How does Hess demonstrate the unity of Umbanda and Quimbanda?
Hess illustrates that Umbanda and Quimbanda rituals can be analyzed through a structuralist approach, revealing interrelated codes and common elements across rituals, indicating a unified system rather than separate categories.
What role do the different spirits play in Umbanda and Quimbanda?
Spirits like Exu, Ogum, and Iemanjá serve as mediators between harsh and gentle magical practices. They embody attributes that facilitate transformations between Quimbanda's aggressive and Umbanda's benevolent rituals.
What is the significance of the literature produced by Umbanda and Quimbanda mediums?
The popular literature by mediums includes ritual formulas for magic, providing insight into the practices and beliefs of Umbandists and Quimbandists, which Hess argues reflect a complex and coherent magical tradition.
What conclusions does Hess draw regarding the socio-cultural context of these practices?
Hess concludes that Umbanda and Quimbanda rituals are reflections of Brazilian societal structures and patron-client relations, revealing how these magical practices navigate and influence the cultural landscape of Brazil.
Glossary definitions and references:
Theological and religious glossary list for “Rethinking Bastide's Works on Umbanda and Quimbanda Magic in Brazil�. The list explains important keywords that occur in this and other scholarly articles. It is also linked to the glossary for understanding that concept in the context of History, Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Sociology etc.
1) 0:
Magic
2) 1:
White
3) 2:
Black
4) 3:
Religion
5) 4:
Book
6) 5:
Crossroad
7) 6:
Black magic
8) 7:
Honey
9) 8:
Drink
10) 9:
Gira
11) 10:
Food
12) 11:
Color
13) 12:
Transformation
14) 13:
Light
15) 14:
Cemetery
16) 15:
Forest
17) 16:
Blue
18) 17:
Flower
19) 18:
Wine
20) 19:
Night
21) 20:
Milk
22) 21:
House
23) 22:
Space
24) 23:
Logic
25) 24:
Palm
26) 25:
Metal
27) 26:
Green
28) 27:
Soul
29) 28:
Cock
30) 29:
Clay
31) 30:
Lighting
32) 31:
Leaves
33) 32:
Stone
34) 33:
Smoke
35) 34:
Mind
36) 35:
Discussion
37) 36:
Literature
38) 37:
Harshness
39) 38:
Bitter
40) 39:
Cloth
41) 40:
Rock
42) 41:
Dawn
43) 42:
Urban center
44) 43:
Oral tradition
45) 44:
Communication
46) 45:
Happiness
47) 46:
Language
48) 47:
Perfume
49) 48:
Hundred
50) 49:
Coconut
51) 50:
Warrior
52) 51:
Pathway
53) 52:
Thunder
54) 53:
Nature
55) 54:
Police
56) 55:
Temple
57) 56:
Yellow
58) 57:
Future
59) 58:
Danta
60) 59:
Death
61) 60:
Woman
62) 61:
Thorn
63) 62:
Silk
64) 63:
Ashe
65) 64:
Heap
66) 65:
Love
67) 66:
Lead
68) 67:
Two extremes
69) 68:
Cross over
70) 69:
Purification
71) 70:
Prostitute
72) 71:
Gentleness
73) 72:
Cosmology
74) 73:
Knowledge
75) 74:
Substance
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 236]