One of Brazil’s most respected researcher , a specialist on Afro-Brazilian religion , Prof. Mawo Adelson de Brito has joined his ancestors , the Jeje de Nago religion specialist passed on this Tuesday May 3 , 2023 , at the age of 68.
According to reports , the Afro-Brazilian traditionalist and researcher has been hospitalized for over 20 days at the Hospital Roberto Santos, in Salvador, and could not resist complications in his kidneys and a hernia.
Prof. Adelson Silva de Brito , a human right activist who has published several articles was given the title of ‘Mawo’ due to the role he played in the Jeje-Nagô African Matrix Tradition , a ‘Minister of Great Confidence’ and Ambassador of the Jeje and Nagô Cultures in Brazil
The Yoruba advocate conducted several researches on Jeje Liturgy Rituals which led to his doctoral project in the area of Anthropology and Ethnography ” Jeje Religious Culture in Bahia”
” I have lost a friend , teacher and mentor . I know you will sleep well. Thank you Prof. Odigba! ” – Adeyinka Olaiya
” A combatant of religious intolerance, the departure of Mawo Adelson represents the loss of a gem , high-spirited person. No one ever saw him complain about anything, he was always happy. he said words of comfort. It’s a huge loss”, said Ana Patricia Gantois. The burial was scheduled for Thursday 4th May , 2023 at Campo Santo Cemetery, at 10 am , Salvador, Brazil
Prof. Adelson Silva de Brito was a researcher of Afro-Brazilian religion and specifically of the Jeje de Nagô tradition in Bahia. Born in the city of Salvador, Bahia, in 1955 , Adelson developed a deep interest in the religious and cultural traditions of his region from a young age. Over the course of his life, he has become a renowned expert on the Jeje de Nagô tradition, and his research has shed light on this little-known but important aspect of Afro-Brazilian culture.
The Jeje de Nagô tradition is a syncretic religion that emerged in Brazil during the colonial period. It is a fusion of the religious practices brought over by enslaved Africans from the Kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin) and the indigenous beliefs and practices of the region. The Jeje de Nagô tradition is characterized by the veneration of deities called orixás, who are believed to be intermediaries between humans and the divine.
” This is too sad . I just can’t believe Prof. Mawo left us like this . I was planning to visit him soon. Sleep well my teacher ! ” – Madam Sola Yussuf ( Yoruba Gbode)
Adelson’s research has focused on the Jeje de Nagô tradition in the state of Bahia, where it is particularly strong. He has studied the history of the tradition, its rituals and ceremonies, its music and dance, and its relationship with other aspects of Afro-Brazilian culture. Through his research, Adelson has helped to bring greater visibility and recognition to this important aspect of Bahian culture.
One of Adelson’s key contributions to the study of the Jeje de Nagô tradition has been his documentation of its music and dance. He has recorded and transcribed numerous examples of Jeje music, which is characterized by its use of percussion instruments such as the agogô, atabaque, and xequerê. He has also studied the various dance styles associated with the tradition, which often involve intricate footwork and movements that are intended to evoke the movements of the Òrìṣàs
In addition to his academic research, Adelson has also been active in the preservation and promotion of Afro-Brazilian culture in Bahia. He has served as a consultant for various cultural organizations, and has helped to organize numerous festivals and events celebrating Afro-Brazilian music, dance, and religion. He is also the author of several books on the subject, including “O Povo Jeje na Bahia” (The Jeje People in Bahia) and “O Axé do Vodum” (The Axé of the Vodum), which explore the history and practices of the Jeje de Nagô tradition in detail.
Despite the importance of the Jeje de Nagô tradition in Bahian culture, it has often been marginalized and stigmatized by mainstream Brazilian society. Adelson’s research has helped to challenge these negative stereotypes and to promote a more positive and accurate understanding of Afro-Brazilian culture. He has worked tirelessly to promote greater recognition and respect for the traditions and practices of the Jeje de Nagô tradition, and his contributions have helped to ensure that this important aspect of Bahian culture will continue to be celebrated and preserved for future generations.
Adelson Silva de Brito is an important figure in the study and promotion of Afro-Brazilian culture, and specifically of the Jeje de Nagô tradition in Bahia. His research has shed light on this little-known but important aspect of Bahian culture, and has helped to promote greater recognition and respect for the traditions and practices of this syncretic religion. Through his work as a researcher, consultant, and author, Adelson has helped to ensure that the rich cultural heritage of Bahia’s Afro-Brazilian communities will continue to be celebrated and preserved for generations to come.
