Mythogenesis, syncretism and continuity of Sebastianism in Brazillian identity in 20th in in the begining of the 21 th century. (The State of Maranhao and its religious and social events)

The historical basis of this study is the disappearance of King Dom Sebastiao of Portugal, on August 4, 1578, ad thus the birth of Sebastianist feeling and belief in the return of the « hidden king ». As part of this study is the state of Maranhao, Brazil, with its socio-cultural events.The aim is to meet during the twentieth century and early twenty-first century the presence of King Dom Sebastiao sometimes as a god in the Afro-Brazilian “Tambor de Mina” and “Pajelança” sometimes as a black bull in “Encantaria”, hieratic chants, stories and folk festivals.Finally, this study also examines the ethos of the Brazilian man which is still forming while the influence of the “king enchanted” is spreading through the cultural and religious strata of local society.