Religiosidade colonial e combate à feitiçaria: influências históricas e reflexos nas religiões atuais

Abstract

Colonial religiosity is characterized by diverse manifestations of religious belief and practice, influenced mainly by the Catholicism of the European colonizers, and by indigenous and African beliefs. At the same time, practices considered as witchcraft, sorcery, and other forms of popular magic emerged, which often conflicted with the prevailing religious and moral orthodoxy. These religious practices of Afro-Brazilian origin emerged as a form of resistance by enslaved people and other marginalized individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of colonial religiosity and the fight against witchcraft, sorcery, and other practices of the popular universe in the context of the colonization of Brazil. A literature review was carried out to understand the historical, cultural, and social context that influenced colonial religiosity and the fight against practices considered heretical or superstitious. Thus, this analysis seeks to broaden the understanding of the religious and social dynamics of the Brazilian colonial period, as well as their repercussions in contemporary times. The results obtained highlighted the coexistence and conflict between the official religion of the European colonizers and popular religious practices of indigenous or African origin. It was observed that the church and the colonial state adopted several strategies to deal with these manifestations, including persecution, repression and control of practices considered as threats to religious orthodoxy and the morality of society.