The Saint and the Enchanted One: the Afro Umbandist Procession to São Sebastião in São João de Pirabas

ABSTRACT

Every year on January 19th and 20th the municipality of São João de Pirabas celebrates Rei Sabá. Rei Sabá. As a version of of the King Sebastian (Rei Sebastião), he is an entity that belongs to the pantheon of the encantados, beings who did not know the experience of death. These encantados transform themselves into entities that have their own territory - the encantaria - and manifest themselves from Rei Sabá and others agents. Based on an ongoing research, the article presents the rituals that precede the main feast of Rei Sabá, dedicated to St. Sebastian (São Sebastião). The purpose is to describe how the religions of encantaria mark and produce the city itself.

KEYWORDS:
Afro-brazilian; Amazon umbanda; Encantaria; city; Northern Brazil