SINOPSE.
[Work-In-Progress]
During the XVIIIth century it was found the biggest gold reserve ever at a no-man’s land in the heart of Brasil. A vast region became the new Eldorado. Man came from all over the world. And it only got worst when they found, well guess… diamonds! Such a enterprise demanded many workers, and the solution at the time was to get as many slaves as possible from Africa. The new diamond city was called “Diamantina”, and up these days one can see the african influence in population. Thousands lived, made a family and died there. Apart from their work and sacrifice, they also left all their mining knowledge, and their cultures and religions. From these elements combined a new religion rose in Brasil: Candomblé!
As an oral tradition, it does not have holy scriptures.Practitioners of Candomblé believe in a Supreme Creator called Oludumaré, who is served by lesser deities, which are called Orishas. Every practitioner is believed to have their own tutelary orisha, which controls his or her destiny and acts as a protector. Music and dance are important parts of Candomblé ceremonies, since the dances enable worshippers to become possessed by the orishas. In the rituals, participants make offerings. Candomblé does not include the duality of good and evil; each person is required to fulfil his or her destiny to the fullest, regardless of what that is.
Photography by Miguel Pinheiro
(all images are copyrighted and cannot be used without written permission)
