Combating Religious Intolerance on Social Media – an interview

The campaign – Testemunhos de Axe – was looking for people willing to share their stories about leaving the church and joining a terreiro.  I reached out to one of the organizers, Renata Cassini, to find out more about the movement.

Mãe Stella’s YouTube Channel: A First Look

Mãe Stella de Oxossi explains why she decided to launch a YouTube channel as a way to combat inventions and misinformation in Candomblé.

Pastor Indicted for Destroying Images in a Terreiro in the Baixada Fluminense

One person was indicted in a police in a police investigation based on the Law of Racism for religious discrimination. According to the Civil Police, a man who identified himself as pastor Daniel Marins Francisco published a video on social media, where he appears breaking religious images of a terreiro.

At 92, Mãe Stella Launches a Channel on YouTube

“From the Head of Mãe Stella,” is a YouTube channel that will launch on September 25, 2017 featuring the wisdom of the Iyalorixa’s 78 years of religious and intellectual leadership.

March Defends Religious Freedom in Copacabana

Respect and punishment. This was the rally cry during the march in defense of religious freedom that took place at Orla Copacabana this Sunday afternoon by the Commission to Combat Intolerance.

Sign the Petition – Religious Freedom Now!

show solidarity with our Brazilian brothers and sisters in the struggle. A petition was started by the The National Council of the Efon Nation to reach the Governor of Rio, the State Secretary of Culture, the State Secretary of Public Security, and the State Secretary of Human Rights.

Criminals Force an Iyalorixa to Destroy Her Own Terreiro in Nova Iguassu, Rio de Janeiro

Witnesses told CBN that the drug dealers arrived and urinated on sacred images. The entire act was recorded and shared on social media. The Commission to Combat Religious Intolerance found another video showing the same situation. This case also took place in the Baixada Fluminense borough, in Rio de Janeiro.  

Workshop on Yoruba Language in Rio de Janeiro

Ethical Responsibility in the Diaspora

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you believe you’re being taken advantage of or are being abused, do not feel that it’s your role as a “good godchild” to endure such behavior.

Agudas: From Yorubaland to Brazil & Back

During slavery, Yoruba people were among the later ethnic groups to be captured. Yoruba-Brazilians, then, had clearer memories of their roots which allowed them to return home.

Mãe Stella de Oxossi Launches Mobile App

In the Internet age where information is simply a wi-fi connection away, it’s difficult to resist the temptation to turn to the Internet as a primary source for learning about the religion. However, the Internet has also afforded us amazing opportunities like the launch of Mãe Stella’s app – Orientações de Mãe Stella. The app launched on May 2nd, Mãe Stella’s 92nd birthday; what a gift has she given us!

Afro-Brazilian Dance Class in NYC | January 2017

Cleonice Fonseca is back at Cumbé.  Check out her class on January 15, 2017 at 6 pm.

Review: Mulheres de Axé

Marcos Rezende has put together both a book and documentary showcasing the importance of women within Candomblé.  In September, I had the pleasure of attending a presentation of his work in NYC during Brazil Week 2014.  About a year ago, I posted about the preview of this documentary, so I was really excited to see