Music, Translation and Language in the Santo Daime Diaspora

Abstract

This article addresses Santo Daime’s diaspora and its musical dimensions. In order to do this, the authors establish parallels from the international expansion of capoeira, neo-Pentecostalism and afro-Brazilian religions. These parallels situate the transnationalization of Santo Daime within the broader movement of the diaspora of Brazilian religions and the Global South. Thereafter, the paper discusses the ritual role of music and daimistas’ religious hymns, which are considered sacred gifts and represent a cornerstone of the rituals. The article then describes and discusses how the hymns are sung, translated, and interpreted into different countries and contexts. It is argued that the hymns generate cohesion and transnational networks on the one hand, and reinterpretation and conflicts on the other. These discussions encourage debates on the ritual use of psychoactive drugs, the relationship between mus