Brazil
brazil-consulate.org

Though more than 70% of Brazilians identify themselves as Catholics, religion in Brazil is actually quite complex and interesting.  Spiritism has a powerful influence, and many Brazilian combine Catholicism or Protestantism with Spiritist beliefs.  Spiritism includes the belief in spirits and the ability to communicate with them through the use of mediums.  There are also several religions which were brought from Africa by the slaves, including Candomblé, Umbanda, Batuque, and Tambor de Mina.  Despite the passage of time, these religions are alive and well, especially among Afro-Brazilians.  While rituals are generally closed to the public, you can see some of these religions in everyday life, like the people who wear all white and send offerings into the ocean on New Year’s Eve in Rio, and an occasional Umbanda offering (sometimes a dead chicken) left in public places in São Paulo.

Tags:  brazilians spiritism afro-brazilians