Religion in Brazil is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse cultural threads, reflecting the country's rich history and multicultural influences. From traditional indigenous beliefs to the prominence of Christianity and the growing presence of other faiths, Brazil's religious landscape is a dynamic and evolving expression of its societal fabric.
How Brazilian religion appeared?
Brazil boasts the world's largest population of Catholics, with Catholicism establishing itself as the predominant religion since the early 16th century. Introduced to Native Brazilians by Jesuit missionaries, it became the faith observed by the initial Portuguese settlers.
Religion in Brazil: percentage
In terms of religious affiliation, Brazil's demographic breakdown reveals that 64% identify as Catholics, 17% as Pentecostal Protestants, 5% as non-Pentecostal Protestants, 3% as Kardecists or Spiritists, 3% as adherents of other religions, and 7% as non-religious or atheists. Additionally, less than 1% of the population reported following Afro-Brazilian religions.
Brazil religion practices
Rituals in Brazilian religious practices reflect the richness of cultural diversity and syncretism. In Afro-Brazilian cults like Candomblé and Umbanda, ceremonies often involve participants communicating with deities through dances, music, and trance-like states. Rituals may include offerings, purification rites, and the use of magic to connect with ancestral spirits and supernatural forces. In the Catholic tradition, celebrations of saints and festivals, such as Carnival, represent a vibrant blend of religious and secular elements.
Afro-brazilian religion
African-derived religions, notably Candomblé and Umbanda, hold a significant place in Brazil's cultural and religious landscape. These traditions, influenced by diverse African ethnic groups, have shaped Afro-Brazilian ethnic identities throughout history. Facing periods of both celebration and denigration, from post-independence critiques by the Catholic Church to contemporary disapproval by Pentecostals, these religions have persisted.
Candomblé, rooted in the traditions of Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu ethnic groups, features a pantheon of deities known as orishas, often associated with Catholic saints due to early syncretism during slavery. Full participation involves a complex initiation process and daily rituals at a Candomblé temple, known as a terreiro.
Umbanda, a uniquely Brazilian faith originating in Rio de Janeiro in the 1920s, blends elements of African traditions, Catholicism, Spiritism, Kardecism, and other mystic influences. With a diverse practitioner base spanning various demographics, Umbanda's lack of standardization allows for continuous adaptation and incorporation of new cultural elements. Despite its troubled past, the faith attracts followers from different backgrounds, including Japanese Brazilians, Western Europeans, and North Americans, drawn to its emphasis on holistic healing and spiritual intercession.‘
Candomblé, rooted in the traditions of Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu ethnic groups, features a pantheon of deities known as orishas, often associated with Catholic saints due to early syncretism during slavery. Full participation involves a complex initiation process and daily rituals at a Candomblé temple, known as a terreiro.
Umbanda, a uniquely Brazilian faith originating in Rio de Janeiro in the 1920s, blends elements of African traditions, Catholicism, Spiritism, Kardecism, and other mystic influences. With a diverse practitioner base spanning various demographics, Umbanda's lack of standardization allows for continuous adaptation and incorporation of new cultural elements. Despite its troubled past, the faith attracts followers from different backgrounds, including Japanese Brazilians, Western Europeans, and North Americans, drawn to its emphasis on holistic healing and spiritual intercession.‘
Religion in Brazil: Islam
According to a 2010 Pew report, there are approximately 204,000 Muslims in Brazil, constituting 0.1% of the total population. However, estimates from the Federation of Muslim Associations of Brazil suggest a higher figure of around 1.5 million, while other sources propose a range of 400,000 to 500,000. The country hosts over 150 mosques where Muslims gather for their daily prayers.
Islam's presence in Brazil can be traced back to the practice of African slaves, particularly those from West Africa. Notably, Brazil received a higher number of enslaved Muslims than any other part of the Americas. The Malê Revolt of January 1835 marked a significant event when a group of black slaves and freedmen in Salvador da Bahia, inspired by Muslim teachings, led the largest slave rebellion in Brazil during Ramadan. The term "malê" was used in Bahia to refer to Muslims at that time, originating from the Yoruba language.
In response to the Malê Revolt, Brazilian authorities closely monitored the malês, making concentrated efforts to convert them to Catholic Christianity and eliminate the popular memory and affinity towards Islam. Despite these efforts, the African Muslim community persisted, and as late as 1910, it is estimated that around 100,000 African Muslims still lived in Brazil.
Islam's presence in Brazil can be traced back to the practice of African slaves, particularly those from West Africa. Notably, Brazil received a higher number of enslaved Muslims than any other part of the Americas. The Malê Revolt of January 1835 marked a significant event when a group of black slaves and freedmen in Salvador da Bahia, inspired by Muslim teachings, led the largest slave rebellion in Brazil during Ramadan. The term "malê" was used in Bahia to refer to Muslims at that time, originating from the Yoruba language.
In response to the Malê Revolt, Brazilian authorities closely monitored the malês, making concentrated efforts to convert them to Catholic Christianity and eliminate the popular memory and affinity towards Islam. Despite these efforts, the African Muslim community persisted, and as late as 1910, it is estimated that around 100,000 African Muslims still lived in Brazil.
Religion in Brazil: Hindu
The majority of Hindus in Brazil are of ethnic East Indian descent, but there is a growing number of new converts influenced by the missionary efforts of Hare Krishnas. The Indian community in Brazil comprises around 1,500 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), with only 400 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), as foreign nationals can obtain local citizenship without discrimination after 15 years of residency, and Brazil allows dual citizenship.
Recent immigration visas in Brazil have been primarily granted in high-technology fields, with exceptions made for communities like the Sindhis in Manaus and the Goans in São Paulo. The Sindhis have formed an Indian Association with around a hundred members.
In addition to the PIOs, Hindu organizations such as ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and Brahma Kumaris are actively involved in Brazil, with an estimated number of followers in the thousands. The practice of Vedic Astrology, a vedanga of Hinduism, is gaining popularity in Brazil, particularly through the efforts of the Academia Brasileira de Astrologia Védica (ABAV), which promotes this branch of Vedic culture in the country.
Recent immigration visas in Brazil have been primarily granted in high-technology fields, with exceptions made for communities like the Sindhis in Manaus and the Goans in São Paulo. The Sindhis have formed an Indian Association with around a hundred members.
In addition to the PIOs, Hindu organizations such as ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and Brahma Kumaris are actively involved in Brazil, with an estimated number of followers in the thousands. The practice of Vedic Astrology, a vedanga of Hinduism, is gaining popularity in Brazil, particularly through the efforts of the Academia Brasileira de Astrologia Védica (ABAV), which promotes this branch of Vedic culture in the country.
Brazil in religion: racism
The issue of religious racism in Brazil is brought to attention by the International Commission to Combat Religious Racism (ICCRR), which has meticulously analyzed 500 cases of religious intolerance against Afro-Brazilian faiths since 2000. Initiated in 2019, this ongoing project underscores the severity and frequency of attacks, with an intention to provide annual updates. Religious racism, rooted in racialized prejudices against specific faiths, is particularly pronounced in Brazil, where Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé and Umbanda face a critical stage of intolerance.
