RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JANUARY 24: Av&ocirc; de Santo, or spiritual grandfather, Luis de Omolu blesses a practitioner during a candomble ceremony, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2015. Brazil's Afro-Brazilian religions which in recent years have come under increasing threats and prejudice, particularly from the growing number of evangelical churches. Candombl&eacute; originated in Salvador, Bahia at the beginning of the 19th century when enslaved Africans brought their beliefs with them. Umbanda and candombl&eacute; are Afro-Brazilian religions practiced in mostly Brazil. <br />
(Lianne Milton for the Washington Post)