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
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Why this topic?
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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.
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Why this topic?
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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.
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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.
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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.