Mapping Religious Racism: Territorial Exclusion of Afro-Brazilian Religions in Natal, Brazil

Abstract

This article examines the territorial distribution of Afro-Brazilian religious terreiros in the Metropolitan Region of Natal, Brazil, based on the geocoding of 121 worship spaces identified through ethnographic research conducted by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). The study combines spatial analysis, census data, and interpretative approaches grounded in Durkheim’s concept of the social fact and the emerging field of Geographic Administrative Law. The results reveal a consistent spatial pattern: terreiros are predominantly concentrated in peripheral areas characterized by lower income levels and higher proportions of mixed-race (pardo) and Black populations. Conversely, their presence is limited in central and economically valued areas of the city. This distribution indicates that the territorial location of Afro-Brazilian religious spaces is closely associated with broader dynamics of socio-spatial inequality. By integrating geocoding and thematic cartography, the study demonstrates how spatial analysis can contribute to understanding the relationship between religion, race, and urban structure. The findings highlight the importance of considering territoriality as a key dimension of religious practice and provide empirical support for discussions on urban inequality, religious diversity, and spatial justice.