Candomblé's Influence On Afro-Brazilian Culture

The evolution of Candomblé's music from being exclusively sacred to also having a significant secular presence reflects the religion's adaptability to changing social and cultural contexts, while also highlighting the ongoing negotiation of identity and representation within Afro-Brazilian communities. This essay will chronologically examine Candomblé’s shift from sacred to secular music while highlighting contributing factors.
Candomblé is an Afro-Brazilian religion that originated in the early 19th century in the region of Bahia, Brazil. It is a syncretic religion that includes elements of African traditional religions, particularly those of the Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu peoples, and later, elements of Catholicism. The religion's practitioners,

One of the oldest, longest-lasting, and respected of these carnaval groups is the Filhos de Gandhi, founded in the 1940s. Filhos de Gandhi had a significant influence on the practice of Candomblé in Brazil. The group's use of Candomblé in a secular context helped to popularize the religion and reinforce pride in African heritage while also breaking down the social stigma associated with the religion, which was often perceived as barbaric, primitive, and evil due to their oppenness to possessive by other worldy forces. Filhos de Gandhi played a pivotal role in keeping Candomblé alive and relevant during a time of government persecution and social stigma. The group's message of brotherhood and tolerance resonated with many Brazilians, and it helped to create a sense of pride in Afro-Brazilian culture and identity while creating a sense of community among Afro-Brazilians who were marginalized and discriminated against in Brazilian

The Church condemned the religion and its followers and actively sought to convert Candomblé practitioners to Catholicism. The Church's position against Candomblé and other Afro-Brazilian religions was based on the belief that they were rooted in superstition and idolatry. Many priests and nuns actively encouraged their followers to report any suspected Candomblé activity to the authorities. The coup regime considered Candomblé a threat to Brazilian national identity and perceived it as a manifestation of African culture that needed to be eliminated. The regime aimed to promote a homogeneous national identity based on European ideals and culture, which meant that anything associated with African culture, including Candomblé, was considered undesirable. As a result, there was a decline in the popularity of Candomblé and a loss of cultural heritage. Many Candomblé practices and traditions were forced underground or lost