The view of Existential-Phenomenology on the Amazonian being, member of African-based cults in the Amazon

Abstract

The sacred has always been present in the lives of human beings focused on the practice of their religiosity or spirituality. Therefore, the religious phenomenon, through mystical pursuits and the practice of syncretism, involves a myriad of practices and rituals aimed at fostering the individual's well-being. It permeates the context of human civilization, and this is no exception in the region we inhabit: the Amazon. The objective of this study was to understand how Amazonians, specifically those from Amazonas, understand their historicity from their initial immersion in African-based cults, using existential phenomenology as the basis for analysis. This qualitative research employed the phenomenological method in its descriptive, exploratory, and reflective characterizations. The study used phenomenological interviews with 11 participants in religious practices guided by the Federation of Umbanda and Afro-Brazilian Cults of the State of Amazonas (FUCABEAM). Audio-recorded interviews were conducted between March and August 2015. Several categories were developed, and this study presents two of them and their subcategories: Living in Religion: The Lived World; Constituting a New Being: Subjectivity; The meaning of being a member of an African-based religion; the meaning of assuming the personality characteristics of their masters or guides; the meaning of the daily facticities that resulted in them being who they are today: leaders of terreiros/barracões, taking responsibility for each of those who seek them, with the goal of promoting knowledge, relief, and care. It is concluded that being a member of an African-based religion is to continually experience care for others, taking responsibility for each of those who seek them, with the goal of promoting knowledge, relief, and care, and where affection is the driving force of the entire process of existence.