THE GIFT AND INITIATION - ABOUT THE IMPAC T OF LITERATURE ON CULTS OFPOSSESSION IN BRAZIL

The mediums of Brazilian possession cults contrast gifts with initiati on. This contrast can bee understood by studying how scientific and es oteric writings have shaped this religious field. Writings based on sc ientific paradigms have defined ritual norms that the initiatory syste m supposedly maintains. Having failed in their attempst at systematiza tion, esoteric writings have encouraged personal interpretations based on inspiration by the spirits. The forming of a religious <<tradition >> can be understood only by taking into account the ambivalent relati ons between speech and writing.