Journal 4 - Rituals as Performance

Throughout my life, I have always had a fear of certain forms of the occult, despite my fascination with them. One of those beliefs that I had a certain aversion to was Kimbanda, a Brazilian religion with Afro, European, and Indigenous origins that practices evocations and devotions of spirits known as Exu. The uneasiness that I used to feel with that religion and other related ones is also something that is shared amongst the Brazilian population due to the religion’s perceived negative connotations, such as the open employment of “black magic”, offerings, and evocation of spirits and demons. I remember as a kid feeling a strong sense of turmoil every time I saw offerings in the streets, as well as most people around me, who would utter certain judgments. Demonic possessions were also always common to hear in local churches or on television, and although I had never taken them seriously in that context, the thought that these practices could actually exist in houses/temples was always frightening. Nonetheless, I have learned that as I mature, I have become less desensitized to these practices.

In fact, I have grown a strong fascination with them in the last month, reading about the religion in books, listening to music, and watching videos. The practices that can be observed involve people gathering around to sing and play traditional instruments, using incense and magical objects, and dancing while one or multiple people with medium abilities incorporates ancestral spirits. The person is controlled by the spirit and acts as a bridge between the spiritual plane and our physical plane, performing acts and saying specific things that are associated with each spirit, such as smoking cigars, drinking alcohol, dancing, and giving spiritual advice to their followers.

To study and be more aware of these rituals is to understand the importance of performance, that performing is not something that is only related to formal theater, but also to religion and culture. Performance is fundamental to spirituality, including religion and magic. It is not something that is destined for mere entertainment, it is a powerful tool to connect with the spiritual plane, manifest change, and cultivate cultural belonging within communities.