The body as a site of religious action in African cosmovisions

Abstract

In this article I explore the role of the body in Afro-religious practices, focusing on how the categories of sex, gender, sexuality and identity are articulated within African diasporic religions, particularly in the context of Brazilian Candomblé. I examine how Afro-religious ritual and performative practices challenge dominant socio-cultural norms. I also discuss how the analysis of these practices contributes to a non-essentialist understanding of gender and sexuality, illustrating how their dynamic nature reflects a broader and more fluid conception of social identity. I highlight how Afro-religious spaces serve as sites of resistance, highlighting the role of women in leading these spaces and reconfiguring traditional gender roles.

Keywords: body, religion, African cosmovision.