The Encantados of the Amazon: Spirit Mediumship and Ethnic Identity in Brazil

Record summary

Studies of Amazonian encantaria describe encantados as beings associated with rivers, forests, submerged cities and other spaces adjacent to ordinary human life. The tradition offers a strong comparison with underworld narratives because crossing may occur through water, trance, disappearance or initiation, and because the hidden realm can mirror social institutions. The exact article or monograph should be located through Portuguese-language catalogues, as “encantados” covers several regional systems. These are religious and folkloric accounts, not independently verified disappearances or spirit journeys.