One of the largest states in Latin America is Brazil. This is probably why the country ranks sixth in the world in terms of the number of inhabitants, who are quite diverse in their nationality. That is why the religion of Brazil is not one, but many. Indigenous people profess their own, visitors are the most famous in the world. We will talk about this in more detail in this article.
Religions with the largest number of followers
So, the main religion of Brazil, which is followed by more than eighty percent of the inhabitants, is Christianity. However, it is also not homogeneous, because there are more Catholics in the country (about sixty-four percent). Brazil is considered one of the largest Catholic states in the world. Also, the number of Protestants has been growing lately.
Catholicism appeared in Brazil along with the Portuguese colonizers and Jesuit missionaries. During all this time in the territory of the statea fairly large number of churches and cathedrals appeared. The main one is the Cathedral of Nossa Señora de Aparecida, which is located in the state of Sao Paulo.
The second religion in Brazil in terms of the number of believers is Protestantism. Its most basic direction is evangelical. However, in fact, throughout the country you can find a large number of the most diverse destinations that are known in the world. Moreover, it is not at all necessary that they have a built cathedral, many function in ordinary halls or apartments. It is noteworthy that in rural areas it is these churches that replace the educational system, which does not function well within the state.
Other kinds of religions
Of course, there is more than one religion in Brazil. Various syncretic cults are very popular, which appeared as a result of the merger of several religions and ancient cults. For example, umbanda. A widespread religion that has about a million followers. It arose thanks to a mixture of Catholicism and African beliefs, which were brought to Brazil by African slaves. They were forbidden to perform their rituals, many slave owners tried to convert them to Catholicism. Therefore, the slaves had to look for an alternative to their faith. This is how the umbanda appeared.
No less popular is spiritualism, which first originated in the United States, and then spread throughout the world. He took root very well in Brazil and found his followers. The Brazilian Spiritual Federation also exists in this country. Also in the country there are communities of Muslims, Jewsand followers of Adventism. Of course, they are much smaller.
Buddhists also live in Brazil. Their community is the largest in Latin America in this state. The largest Buddhist temple is located in Kotia and is called Zu Lai. The University is also located on its territory.
Pagan beliefs of the locals
There are also local beliefs. These include candomblé. This is an ancient pagan religion (it was also brought from Africa, but has not changed), which consists in the fact that its followers worship the spirits of the Orisha. Each adept chooses a special patron spirit (Orisha) and prays to him, asking for intercession and help.
This Brazilian religion takes place in the terrairo, a special place for ritual events. It looks like a monastery, the main ones in it are the father of the saint and the mother of the saint. Periodically, the followers of Candomblé close in the monastery and read their prayers there. The cult practices the following rituals:
- sacrifice to appease some spirits;
- throwing out sixteen shells in order to then read the combination that fell out and find out your fate;
- Dances for the spirits, performed in large numbers (thanks to them, various patrons can be acquired).
A noteworthy fact is that in terraira, according to tradition, there are perfumes in every corner. Usually, when someone enters this room, the mother of the saint appeases them (throws cereals and spills water).
Conclusion
Probably due to the large number of religions in the country there was a mixture of different cultures. Already many residents do not profess the purity of belief. They can visit the Catholic Church and at the same time terraro with the religious ceremony of candomblé. Also, many people go to a Buddhist temple, because it is quite beautiful and there is a large community of Buddhists in the country. In any case, almost every ceremony contains the Brazilian flavor of the Latin American country.
