Abstract:
Post modernity imposes upon individuals a crisis of paradigms, with the emergence of innumerable uncertainties. The individuals, immersed in daily problems, don't have time for the transcendent. However, life in society includes socio-religious beliefs and experiences, such as those perceived in the religious syncretism and in the popular spirituality. Sacred and profane fuse together in rites and rituals without being noticed, constituting the daily reality, the time and space of the individuals. This work seeks to interpret the ritual of the washing of the steps and forecourt of the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim as an example of a complex religiosity in which there are sacred and profane elements as well as the faithful, the curious and the tourists. Even though religious tourism is changing the festival, the festival maintains a syncretic character: popular religion, religion of the African matrix and popular culture have amalgamated. It is not possible to separate them.
