international
experiences
a discourse of religious conflict
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magna cum laude
I intend to conduct a critical discourse analysis (CDA) using the case study of the conflict between Brazilian practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religion (PABR), and Brazilian Pentecostals, crentes, in order to better understand this conflict— particularly how it plays out on social media— in the hopes that this will contribute towards a healthier discourse that alleviates the tension between the opposing groups.
My study rests on a survey of three viral YouTube videos— namely, their comment sections and how they function as centers for popular religious discourse.
In my study, a few key themes of the PABR-crente conflict discourse emerged including: overall transience between the two religions, character attacks, cosmological disputes, the performing self, and the contesting self.
It is in this last category that I see hope for a de-escalation of the the PABR-crente conflict. I will delve further into each category citing specific examples of online discourse.
I conclude with a discussion of the active role of YouTube and the social-media sphere in altering and encouraging this discourse of popular religious conflict.
Key words: Candomblé, Pentecostalism, neo-Pentecostalism, social media, religious discourse, conflict
Why this topic?
I chose to write about Pentecostalism and Afro-Brazilian religion (Candomblé, Umbanda) because I think religion is an important cultural and spiritual force that deserves study. I chose Brazil because I have family that have worked in Brazil and I wanted to strengthen my Portuguese skills with this study. Furthermore, I think this particular religious conflict in Brazil can be applied to religious conflict elsewhere-- even in the United States where we also have Pentecostalism and African-derived religions.
the lacma tunic and llamas during inka times
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summa cum laude
I propose that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s unku, “Tunic M.78.54.2,” is a provincial unku, coming from the coast of Chinchaysuyu (the north-western portion of the Inka empire) and its unusual figural iconography imbues it with Inka state power through its referent, the camelid.
By referent, I mean the actual camelid animal as it is a symbol of state power reflected by a variety of representations which I will discuss.
In the first section, I will discuss some background of the Inka empire and its connection to camelids as symbols of Inka power.
In the following two sections, I describe the history and uses of unkus and the LACMA unku in particular. I then move into description and analysis of other examples of camelid iconography (in a coca bag, a conopa, Choqek’iraw, and colonial manuscripts) using elements of these analyses to elucidate the origins and meaning of the LACMA unku.
I propose (1) the LACMA unku is a pre-Colonial provincial unku made in coastal Chinchaysuyu, (2) the LACMA unku’s figural iconography is a coastal Chinchaysuyu characteristic, (3) camelid iconography imbues the unku with the energy of the camelid and, thus, with the power of the state, and (4) this unku was worn by a suyuyoq apu (provincial administrator) from Chinchaysuyu who embodies both regional and imperial power.
Why this topic?
I chose this topic because I think the study of pre-Colombian Latin American art is important and I found this unku to be very mysterious and in need of a proposed provenance.
my time in sevilla, spain
I spent my Fall 2018 semester studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain. It was easily one of the most impactful experiences I have had through the University of Florida. I am thankful to the UFIC and the state of Florida for making this dream of studying abroad possible to me through scholarships.
My time abroad taught me about Spanish culture and language; allowed to me meet new friends, improving my intercultural communication, and, most lastingly, taught me about myself-- what I am capable of, what I should prioritize, and how I want my life to look.
I cherish those months I spent in Spain, not only for the places I was privileged to see and the things I was privileged to do but for the invaluable perspective this time provided me.