Diasporic Consciousness in the Material Culture of Brazilian Candomblé

This book examines Candomblé's material culture and its relationship with the evolving cultural politics of Brazil. It employs artefacts as analytical tools to trace the emergence of a diasporic consciousness. By followiing the movements of artefacts historically, the study reveals how Candomblé has transitioned from a secluded sacred tradition marked by discrimination and persecution to its inclusion in the construction of a new cultural character in Brazil. While maintaining its esoteric traditions and contending with ongoing discrimination, the Candomblé sphere has evolved into a confluence of socio-religious and political expressions in sacred and spectacular contexts. This research highlights the crucial role of artefacts in the various stages of Candomblé's evolvement. It demonstrates how diasporic communities progressively exercise political and cultural significance within new societal contexts. The anticipated readership for this publication includes a diverse group of scholars, particularly those engaged in anthropology, material culture, art history, history, and religious studies.

Zainabu Jallo is a post-doctoral researcher and lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Basel, Switzerland. She received a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Bern, Switzerland, and is a visiting researcher in the Department of Anthropology at Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. Her scholarly interests include museum anthropology, Afro-Atlantic diasporas, iconic criticism, and material culture. Jallo is editor of Material Culture in Transit: Theory and Practice (Routledge, 2023).