Haitianos evangélicos en Santiago de Chile: convivencia, fronteras étnicas y religiosidad migrante (2018-2022)

Abstract

Haitian mobility to Chile increased significantly between 2010 and 2018, exhibiting certain characteristics that distinguish it from other migrant collectives. One of these is the Christian religious adherence they manifest, in that they attend different types of evangelical churches, both Chilean and Haitian, a central point of reference in their social organization in the diaspora. These religious institutions are directly linked to Chilean evangelicals; however, given the mutual mistrust and convivial clash, autonomous and self-segregated churches have emerged as a result of multiculturalism. Haitians' inclusion in society and their establishment in the country have been challenging given their experiences of subalternity, racism, limited command of Spanish, and low-skilled and low-paying jobs, among other factors, alienating them from the Chilean population. As such, it is important to examine these religious communities and ask ourselves about the relevance of evangelical churches in the relationships established between nationals and migrants. A qualitative approach methodology, ethnographic fieldwork, and in-depth interviews conducted between 2018 and 2022 in Santiago, in various churches and cults in Creole, revealed that some Haitians and Chileans are interested in ecclesial and extra-religious interculturality, as they share similar beliefs. However, this is not enough to establish closer coexistence and the distance between Chileans and Haitians is increasing, with greater segregation in the capital.

Keywords

• coexistence
• evangelicals
• haitian migrants
• religious practices
• racism