Spirits and Trance in Brazil

By Bettina E. Schmidt

Book Description

Through the vibrant spiritual landscape of São Paulo, Brazil's largest metropolis, anthropologist Bettina E. Schmidt takes readers on an illuminating journey into the world of spirit possession and trance states. Drawing from extensive fieldwork in one of the world's most religiously diverse cities, this scholarly exploration reveals how ancient spiritual practices continue to thrive and evolve in modern urban settings.

Schmidt examines spirit possession across multiple religious traditions, from Afro-Brazilian faiths to spiritism and Charismatic Christian communities. Rather than approaching these phenomena as exotic curiosities, she presents them as meaningful religious experiences that deserve serious academic attention. The book weaves together personal testimonies from practitioners with rigorous anthropological analysis, offering readers authentic voices alongside scholarly insight.

The study unfolds across three interconnected dimensions. First, it examines how social factors like gender and race shape spiritual experiences, revealing how these communities have adapted over the past century. Second, it explores how individuals understand and interpret their encounters with spiritual entities, showing the deeply personal nature of these relationships. Finally, it bridges Western academic frameworks with embodied spiritual practice, challenging traditional mind-body distinctions.

By combining sociological, anthropological, and phenomenological approaches, Schmidt creates a comprehensive portrait of contemporary Brazilian spirituality. This work offers valuable perspectives for anyone seeking to understand how spiritual traditions adapt to modern life while maintaining their transformative power.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)

📄 Length: 240 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore General
✓ Explore Spirit possession
✓ Explore Sociology of religion
✓ Explore Tr
✓ Explore Trance
✓ Explore Mng
✓ Explore Social sciences -> sociology -> sociology of religion
✓ Explore Social sciences -> anthropology -> cultural anthropology

Topics Covered

General Spirit possession Sociology of religion Tr Trance Mng Social sciences -> sociology -> sociology of religion Social sciences -> anthropology -> cultural anthropology Religion Cultural Brazil, social life and customs Social sciences -> religion -> general Brazil, religion Experience (religion)