Afro-Brazilians in Benin: religious and cultural aspects of a transatlantic culture

Intervention of Joao de Athayde in the seminar Global anthropology of religions.

Joao de Athayde holds a doctorate in anthropology (Aix Marseille). His work focuses on the Afro-Brazilians of Benin (descendants of freed slaves who returned to Africa), and in particular on their folklore and religion. Afro-Brazilians in Benin have a complex religious identity, some are Catholics, some are Muslims, some are Vaudou practicioners. He studied in depth the festival of the Bourian, the festival of the donkey (burrinha) which includes a carnival parade, with masks, music and dances.

• Full program of the seminar