Abstract
Human societies utilize mollusks for myriad material and spiritual ends. An example of their use in a religious context is found in Brazil's African-derived belief systems. Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion introduced during the 18th-19th centuries by enslaved Yoruba, includes various magical and liturgical uses of mollusks. This work inventoried the species utilized by adherents and to analyzed their symbolic and magical context. Data were obtained from Candomblé temples in two cities in the northeast of Brazil-Caruaru, in the state of Pernambuco, and Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba. Questionnaires administered to eleven adepts revealed that at least nineteen mollusk species are being used. Shells from Monetaria moneta, M. annulus and Erosaria caputserpentis were cited by all of the interviewees. Three uses stood out: divination (jogo de búzios); utilization as ritual objects; and employment as sacrificial offerings (Igbin or Boi-de-Oxalá). The jogo de búzios (shell toss), employed in West Africa, Brazil and Cuba, is of fundamental importance to the cult, representing the means by which the faithful enter in contact with the divinities (Orixás) and consult people's futures (Odu). The utilization of mollusks in Candomblé is strongly influenced by ancient Yoruba myths (Itãs) which, having survived enslavement and generations of captive labor, continue to guide the lives of Brazil's African Diaspora.
Highlights
Human societies utilize aquatic biological resources in many ways
A diverse array of wild animals and animal parts are offered for sale for religious purposes throughout the country in the open markets and shops, especially to serve the Afro-Brazilian community [7,8,15,23,25,26]
In pre-history, mollusks represented an important source of food, ornamentals, and tool materials [28,29,30,31], and these traditional uses are richly documented in the archeological record [32,33,34]
Summary
Human societies utilize aquatic biological resources in many ways. Marine invertebrates and fish are used as ornamentals, food, medicine, and even in magico-religious practice [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. With a rich religious tradition and a profound knowledge of the magical and medical properties of plants and animals, the Yoruba introduced many of their healing practices and cosmological beliefs to Brazil [40]. Over time, as these beliefs and traditions blended with those of the Catholic faith, a syncretic religion known as Candomblé (and many variants) took hold. Candomblé priests and priestesses serve the greater Afro-Brazilian community as priests, curandeiros (healers), and practitioners of the occult arts These often include plants and animals in ceremonial obligations (sacrifices) to one or another of the pantheon of African deities-the orixas [7,8,15]. The objectives of the following research are: (1) to identify species of mollusks that are used by Candomblé priests, and (2) to analyze the roles and magic-religious symbolism of these animals to the adepts of the religion
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