Pagamento de tambor: conexões e visitas no terecô em Codó (Maranhão)

Abstract

This dissertation is an ethnography about exchanges, flows and connections between people and spiritual entities in Terecô, an Afro-Brazilian religion widely practiced and widespread in Maranhão, in which spiritual beings called "encantados" (spiritual entities incorpored in human bodies) are manifested in. In order to do this, this paper starts from the experiences of "drum temple exchange" ("pagamento de tambor"), which consist in repaying the visit of another temple in its drum celebration. This duty allows “saint-fathers” to mobilize theirselves constantly to be present at countless parties that take place throughout the year, both in Codó - city of this field research - and in other places. I analyze relationships between people and entities; among the enchanted beings and between tents, to think how different beings, objects, music, parties, places and people get involved in the production of terecô. I suggest, from this, that the diversity present in these practices and narratives about religion, rather than a problem, make up the modes of existence of the practitioners.