READINGS AND RE-READINGS OF THE FEAST “NOSSA SENHORA DA PURIFICAÇÃO” IN THE URBAN SPACE OF SANTO AMARO-BA

Abstract

The Feast of “Nossa Senhora da Purificação” [The Saint Lady of Purification] is a religious event celebrated annually since the 18th century in the town of Santo Amaro, in the Recôncavo region of Bahia, and brings together elements of official and popular Catholicism historically redefined in a local/regional context predominantly made up of black people. In this text, the sociocultural dynamics of the Feast of The Saint Lady of Purification in the urban space of the town of Santo Amaro are analyzed, guided by approaches to cultural heritage and considering its different forms of manifestation. The academic research that resulted in the present text began with observations and notes from/in the festive context and then resorted to bibliographical sources to develop a theoretical-conceptual framework. To understand the event in time, a brief history of this important popular festival was made, using photographs and documents. Then, field activities were carried out during the festive period and the event was analyzed, with special emphasis on its spatial dimensions and the diversity of its cultural manifestations. It was found that the Purification Festival constitutes an intangible cultural heritage of great relevance to the sociocultural and spatial dynamics of Santo Amaro, which stands out in the cultural production/enjoyment of the Recôncavo region of Bahia.