Welfare Indicators for Traditional Peoples (IBPT) and the case of Religions of African Matrix and Umbanda in Brazil

Abstract

This article aims to analyze, through the Human and Social Sciences, how well-being is produced in the traditional territories related to African matrix religions and Umbanda, therefore, here will be presented and discussed the participatory methodology called Welfare Indicators for Traditional Peoples (in Portuguese “Bem-estar para Povos Tradicionais – IBPT”). IBPTs have an arrangement of five large self-reported capacities by the traditional people, which serve as analytical metrics. These capacities are: Collective Control of the Territory; Autonomous Cultural Agency; Food Autonomy; Ability to Build a Quiet Environment, Self-Care and Reproduction. This methodology has been used to help the traditional people with the visualization of their strengths, vulnerabilities and the development of strategic planning to better manage them. The results uncover the main challenges and achievements of the traditional people, through a historical process of overcoming prejudices and socio-cultural identity affirmation.