This paper has explored the ways in which the struggles for the legitimacy of Ayahuasca religions reflect the ways in which persecuted peoples can adapt to and resist the forces around them. Racism and religious persecution are inextricably linked in the strategies employed by the UDV and the Santo Daime. The UDV sought to distance itself from its multi-cultural roots, and the CEFLURIS branch of the Santo Daime limited activities that they thought were vital to their religion i.e. the use of Santa Maria, which was not granted the same privilege as Ayahuasca. The attempt to have Ayahuasca listed as a cultural heritage is supported by academic works being published that focus on either the legalization and internationalization of the Ayahuasca religions or on their anthropological origin. Much attention is paid to current political issues. These are important areas of inquiry and certainly deserve attention, but a more well-rounded approach could serve to legitimize the process even more, particularly by placing these groups into the larger picture of Brazilian religion and society, whose complexity and richness they so aptly reflect.