Mundos que se entrelaçam: religião e política na África Centro Ocidental (século XVII)

Abstract

The aim of the research is to discuss the concept of politics and religion in the 17th century in West Central Africa, based on documents produced by europeans who lived on African territory. Evidence that in the case of Central Africa, religion and politics are inseparable fields in everyday life. On the european side, despite the theoretical separation between politics and religion, both the Portuguese crown (and Iberian) and the missionary orders joined in spiritual achievement of project and time, aimed at the body's subjection, the gradual occupation of the territories and exploitation human and natural resources. In the seventeenth century, two orders, the Capuchins and the Jesuits stood out in the mission of spreading the gospel in the region, sparing no effort to convert localities and solidify catholicism outside european territory. In turn, the Central Africans lived the paradox between reverencing their ancestors and following catholic precepts; consequently, the political doing was also affected by the growing presence of furopeans in the territory. The encounter between so different worlds was marked by constant negotiations and conflicts, where a new way of conceiving politics and religion emerged.