The spread of Afro-Brazilian religions—especially Umbanda and, to a lesser extent, Candomblé—has followed the flux of the migrations of Brazilians (mostly of Japanese descent) looking for work and better living conditions in Japan. This presentation will show some preliminary results on how religious experiences are entangled with migration, the search for healing, life plans, the possibility of people and objects to circulate between Japan and Brazil, and the complex relationship with Japanese society, nature, and spirits.

Daniela Calvo is a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, and is currently working on a project on Umbanda in contemporary Japan. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences (State University of Rio de Janeiro) and a PhD in Mathematics (University of Pisa).

This hybrid lecture will be held on site (email required in advance) and via Zoom (meeting ID: 852 6441 2277).

The meeting link will remain posted on the ISEAS website top page from May 20.