WEAVING PERSPECTIVES ON RELIGIOSITY IN THE PRACTICES OF BENZIMENT IN COMMUNITIES OF THE CHAPADA DIAMANTINA NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Benziment is a traditional practice in Brazilian folk medicine, deeply rooted in religiosity. This study aimed to explore religiosity in the practice of Benziment in Andaraí, Lençóis, and Mucugê, in the State Park of Chapada Diamantina, identifying the religions of local practitioners and the religious symbols and references present in the practice. The methodology included snowball sampling, guided tours, direct observation, and semi-structured interviews, taking place individually in their homes and nearby areas between April 2022 and July 2023, following ethical research committee guidelines. A total of 28 practitioners were interviewed, with 64.29% (n=18) in Andaraí, 25% (n=7) in Lençóis, and 10.71% (n=3) in Mucugê. The official religions recorded were Jarê, Catholic, Catholic/Jarê, Umbanda/Jarê, Spiritist/Catholic, and Prayer/Ritual. Among the 45 religious references in their prayers, Saint Cosmas, Saint Damian, and God were the most prominent. The results reveal a strong presence of religiosity characterized by evident religious hybridism in altars, paintings, statues, prayers, and rituals. This hybridism influences the learning and practice of Benziment, with practitioners integrating their beliefs and using faith as the driving force behind their healing practice.