Photography and Afro-Brazilian sacred: modulations of difference in Pierre Verger and his contemporaries

ABSTRACT

The article revisits the photographic work of Pierre Verger to analyze the formation of his gaze, accompanying his biography from France to Brazil, Benin and Nigeria. Based on the specialized literature, I discuss the social uses of photography and address four modulations of otherness expressed by the photography of Verger and his contemporaries: first, the scientific-modern typification; then, the object of ethnographic / anthropological interest; later, encompassing the religious and ritual perspective; and finally, the stereotyped representation of candomblé by the Brazilian publishing market. Finally, I consider Verger's contribution to the transformation of visual culture associated with Afro cults in the country.

KEYWORDS
Documentary photography; photojournalism Afro-Brazilian religions; art and anthropology; visual anthropology