Religious events and commercialization

Abstract

This chapter discusses the processes by which the Festa do Senhor Bom Jesus do Bonfim, held annually in the city of Salvador (Bahia/BR) for about 276 years, has been reframed in order to respond to the demands of specific contexts. The presented analysis is divided into three stages. First, we reflected on the reasons why the Bonfim celebrations were, in 2013, regarded by the Brazilian government as an intangible heritage. The second stage refers to the way by which, in the 19th century, the African and Afro-Brazilian population appropriated the Lavagem do Bonfim - a Catholic rite, originally Portuguese and white -, associating it with the African ritual dedicated to Oxalá (orixá linked to the creation of the world, belonging to Candomblé). The third moment discusses the processes by which the Lavagem was appropriated by the tourist market, becoming part of the calendar of events in the city of Salvador. Our proposal is to contribute to the discussions around the possibilities of maintaining a tenuous balance in the relationship between the local community and the stakeholders.