Caracterização dos erveiros(as) e das plantas sagradas vendidas nas feiras livres de Salvador

Abstract

Many of the plants used in african-brazilian rituals have their roots strongly established in traditional african customs. The leaves are very important to people of African religions. Without them is impossible to perform any ritual (“without leaf there isno Orixa”). This study aim to characterize the herbalists and make a survey of the most used leaves. The survey was conducted through structured interviews. The street market workers had to be a seller of leaves in street markets and be present at tent on the time ofinterview to be part of the survey. The data indicates that 61% of respondents are male,46% declared blacks, 77% of them claim to be Catholics, and only 15% of respondentsclaim to be Candomblé, an indication that being a salesman leaves (herbalists) does not mean being adept of african religion.