Benediction

cultural/religious practice of blessers and traditional midwives in the Macapá, State of Amapá, Brazil

Abstract

In this article we will address the benediction, a common practice in the Amazon and in several traditional communities of the State of Amapá. Women called blessers/healers and/or midwives play a fundamental sociocultural and spiritual role in their communities. The present text deals with a qualitative reflective work that used bibliographical research, documentary analysis, direct observation and interview as a form of investigation. The research revealed that the knowledge of blessers/healers and midwives is threatened with extinction in the state of Amapá, because current generations do not show interest in learning this practice of healing. Another threat consists in the change of religion of some of these women and / or relatives, who, when entering the Neo-Pentecostal evangelical churches, abandon their spiritual gift because it is considered a demonic practice in these environments.