Terreiros de mina de São Luís - MA: lugar sagrado, espaços de cultura e resistência

Abstract

Tambor de Mina is an Afro-Brazilian religious manifestation typical of Maranhão, which emerged in São Luís during the period of slavery, by Africans and their descendants, where voduns, orixás and caboclos are worshipped. The arrival of these new residents in the capital changed the way of life of the people who identified with the tradition, as they brought with them habits and traditions from their homeland, such as customs, culture and religion. However, the terreiros de Mina have established themselves not only as a sacred space, but also as a space of resistance. In this context, according to historical accounts, its origins lie in the memory of various fathers and sons of saints, who have a religious background and were spiritually prepared by their ancestors. It is worth noting that this religion has a direct link with Catholicism, since its festivals always refer to the Catholic Church's calendar, in which rituals such as the litany are present at the opening of services. The terreiros are made up of a cultural plurality, since the knowledge of religiosity represents their identity and their life trajectories, based on the sacred place and the way they resist. In view of this, the study of Mina terreiros, in all their aspects and cultural productions, serves to combat the practices of religious intolerance experienced by axé practitioners, through constant struggles against years of distorted stories about their manifestations of faith. In this work, we have tried to offer an overview of the Mina terreiros of São Luís as sacred places, presenting the Tambor de Mina in all its diversity