(In)tangible Cultural Heritage and Religious Minorities: Legal Strategies for the Preservation of Religious Sites

In recent decades, religious spaces have increasingly become subject to heritage processes, encompassing both their tangible dimension and the emerging concept of intangible cultural heritage. This article examines the legal strategies available for protecting the (in)tangible cultural heritage that...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Thiago Rafael Burckhart
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/538
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In recent decades, religious spaces have increasingly become subject to heritage processes, encompassing both their tangible dimension and the emerging concept of intangible cultural heritage. This article examines the legal strategies available for protecting the (in)tangible cultural heritage that minority religious communities can employ to safeguard their religious sites. Focusing on the case of African-derived religions in Brazil, this study argues that the recognition of their (in)tangible heritage serves as a strategic legal instrument for protecting their religious spaces, despite the conflicts that such recognition may provoke. This article contributes to the field of cultural heritage law, engaging with religious studies and exploring the complexities of legally safeguarding minority cultural practices.
ISSN:2077-1444