Thursday, June 18, 2026
Hello!
What memories remain visible in the streets and monuments of a city? What trajectories, knowledge, and spiritualities remain silenced, despite having helped build who we are today?
It was from these questions that the Axé-Amém project, an ISER initiative that promotes dialogue between Black evangelicals and those from Afro-Brazilian religious communities, launched the... Routes of Black Memory and Spirituality in Rio de Janeiro, a historical and cultural guide that invites the public to explore the city center following two threads of religious memory: territories with traditions of African origin and historical landmarks of Protestantism.
The proposal seeks to reveal spaces that bear the marks of slavery, racism, and religious intolerance. Among territories marked by African-based traditions and Protestantism, the guide reveals how the faith, resistance, belonging, and strength of Black communities helped shape Rio de Janeiro and transformed the city through their cultural, spiritual, and collective practices.
The launch of Routes of Black Memory and Spirituality in Rio de Janeiro This activity took place during a public class dedicated to historical sites for Protestantism in the city center. It was part of the second edition of the Axé-Amém training program and brought participants together for a walk through spaces that help to understand the presence and trajectory of Protestantism in Rio de Janeiro.
In a second public class, participants explored historical territories linked to religions of African origin. Both visits were structured around routes proposed by the new guide, which offers a perspective on the city that goes beyond traditional tourist itineraries and postcards. During the classes, participants are invited to recognize the marks left by Africans and Afro-Brazilians who, even in the face of slavery and religious persecution, built forms of belonging, sociability, celebration, and resistance that profoundly influenced Brazilian culture.
The activities carried out throughout the training reinforce one of Axé-Amém's main tasks: to create safe spaces for meeting, listening, and exchange between people, and to provide a concrete experience of connection and dialogue in a context often marked by prejudice and religious tensions.
The proposed route of the new itinerary encourages reflection on the present and future of relations between different Black religious traditions in Brazil. By highlighting frequently invisible memories and valuing fundamental contributions to the construction of Brazilian society, the initiative strengthens the commitment to dialogue, respect for diversity, and confronting religious racism.
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Until next time,
ISER Team.
Analysis on religion, politics, rights and the environment every two weeks in your email.
Subscribe to the ISER Newsletter.