Religiosidade popular

: tradições, práticas e mitos

Abstract

Fear of mighty and hostile forces of nature created since the beginning of times reverence towards the unknown. The primitive man, with his fruitful imagination and ignorance of the laws that regulate natural phenomena, tended to deify everything which gave life or movement, as does water, wind, clouds, stars, plants, fire and shadows, populating the universe of superior and mysterious beings of which he believed he was dependent. With the emergence of Christianity, all these deities and associated rites were evangelized but many managed to reach us, even though transformed into folk religion, subsisting alive and vivid especially in rural areas through its traditions, practices and myths. Nevertheless, as of today magic and superstition subsist, many practices being worrying and diabolical, which can confound the faithful on matters of their faith. This dissertation studies these practices to understand what gave birth to popular religiosity, through the analysis of the religions present in the Iberic peninsula when Cristianity arrived in Portugal and of the circumstances which led to the transformation of religious and popular customs. The position taken by the Catholic hierarchy on this matter, in particular the pastoral action of St. Martin of Braga and the Plenary Council of Portugal are fundamental sources to understand this subject.

Date of Award	21 Jun 2017
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	António Matos Ferreira (Supervisor)