Abstract:
This article aims to analyze the main material exchanges in a Candomblé terreiro (worship place) in Bocaiuva, MG, from the perspective of clientelism, that is, situations involving the collection of money for the services offered: works of “love tying” and cowrie shells divination. Methodologically, we proceeded by bibliographic research, participant observation, and interviews from May to August 2018. In addition to presenting generalities about Candomblé and some current paradigms that surrounds it, the article analyzes these magical services as social and economic relations present in the life of this terreiro. The research showed that Candomblé and its supporters express not only religious but market relations with each other and with the outside public. In this case, money and magical services are not “separate spheres” or “hostile worlds” but structures where agents perform “good combinations”.
Keywords:
Candomblé; magical services; religion; exchanges