Paper short abstract:

With the migration of African and Brazilian migrants to Portugal came their religions, therapeutical practises, rituals and spirits. Based on field work conducted in Lisbon, this paper discusses the issue of the construction of transantional spirits.

Paper long abstract:

Some decades ago, Portugal became a destination for migrants, specially for brazilians and africans, these last ones basically coming from the former portuguese colonies. With these populations came their religions, therapeutical practices, rituals and spirits. Based on field work conducted in Lisbon with ritual specialists from Guinea-Bissau and Brazil, this paper specifically dwells on the issue of transnational spirits and the constuction of transnational religions which cross the Black Atlantic and gather in Lisbon. One of the main points is to analyse the relationship the portuguese population maintains with such cults, relatively new in the country, and how these views relate top the image they have of africans or brazilians