PAJÉ, ‘ENCHANTED’ SPIRITS AND PROMISES AMONG THE INDIAN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES UNDERSTANDINGS IN ALAGOAS

Abstract

The goal of this article is to display the contradictory feeling between the general understandings between Pajé/Pajelança, directly associated to Shaman/Shamanism. The opposition between these terms were directly obtained by ethnographies experiences among the Indians ethnicities of Alto Sertão Alagoano and among the settled down debates at academics events and other fields that suit other Indians from other places. While it was not possible to find a theoretical study about the problem here presented, both terms, Pajé/Pajelança, Shaman/Shamanism, are mutually placed in their assortment by Anthropology as much as opposites among the Indian peoples of the region. A debate that, theoretically, has been distinguished into its terms and practices by Indians in many fields when the theme is abridged in a general manner, without a usage distinction. Whereas Pajé/Pajelança, Shaman/Shamanism, to the Indians in the territory, are not alike. Therefore, I seek to bring to light the understanding notion of the terms Pajé/Pajelança following the religious insight represented by the promises rituals to the ‘Enchanted’ spirits. Towards these rituals, the pajé’s actions are taken for pajelança. To the Indian ethnicity in Alagoas, these terms are set off as the local ethnicity identity and are particularized into each ethnicity. Perception that goes opposite to the terms Shaman/Shamanism, terminology for universal practices that cannot ‘handle’ the explanation of an inherent ethnicity in the Indians ethnicities in Northeast.