The article is divided into two parts. The first presents data about the slavery period in Rio Grande do Sul, the structure of Afro-Brazilian religions (Batuque, Umbanda and Linha Cruzada) in this state and the historical and controversial role played by an African prince who lived here from the late 19th century until 1935. The second part analyses three particularly important aspects of these religions in Rio Grande do Sul nowadays: the presence of non-Negroes in them, its transnational expansion to Argentina and Uruguay, and the ever-close relations with local political power.
Batuque; Negro; racial relations; Rio Grande do Sul; Brazil; Afro-Brazilian religions
