De Exú a Xangô: quem nos protege? a depredação do patrimônio afro-brasileiro no espaço público da cidade de Salvador – Bahia (2012 – 2022)

Abstract

At a crossroads of paths, the remarkable African-derived religious heritage in Salvador, Bahia, is unveiled, such as the Bust of Mother Gilda, the Oxóssi Sculptural Ensemble and Mother Stella of Oxóssi, Bust of Mother Runhó, Mother Caetana Medallion, Orixás of Dique, Xangô Stone, Lagoa and Dunas do Abaeté Metropolitan Park, and São Bartolomeu Park. These urban symbols, through their rituals and sacredness in public spaces, perpetuate the ancestral religious legacy, keeping alive the resilient Afro-diasporic worldview. However, these practices face challenges, particularly through depreciative acts fueled by the machinery of religious racism. Achieving the objectives and outcomes of this research involved a literature review exploring the interaction between African-derived religious heritage and shared urban spaces in the city. Additionally, field research was conducted to map the urban symbols of African-derived religious heritage in Salvador's public spaces, complemented by a documentary analysis of these heritages and journalistic clippings from 2012 to 2022, focusing on concerning occurrences of vandalism affecting these ethnoreligious spaces. In conclusion, this study offers a profound understanding of the transformation of public space in Salvador. Furthermore, it reflects and solidifies the historical struggle of African-derived religions for the right to worship and religious freedom, not only in recognized spaces like Terreiros but also in other locations across the city.