Quilombo Mutuca : devoção e dádiva na festa de santo

Abstract

In Mato Grosso, the quilombos emerged in different historical periods and in various ways. Nowadays, the state has almost seventy areas certified by the Fundação Cultural Palmares as being lands traditionally occupied by quilombolas. Among the lands certified by the foundation, is the quilombo of Mata Cavalo. The quilombo of Mata Cavalo is located in the county of Nossa Senhora do Livramento, it’s formed by the quilombolas community of Aguassú,Ourinhos /Ponte da Estiva, Mata Cavalo de Baixo, Mata Cavalo de Cima, Capim Verde e Mutuca, being this last community , place of our study. In Relation to the local culture, the religious celebrations or “Festa de Santo” become one of the main manifestations. Our study analyzes by means of qualitative research the centennial family celebration dedicated to São Benedito, São Gonçalo and Nossa Senhora de Aparecida. Firstly we describe the formation of the territory as a quilombola community. Posteriorly we check the origin of the celebration, which actors involved and which roles they play. We identify the participation of people outside the community and their roles in this context. Finally we seek to describe and analyze the processes and rituals that make up the celebration. Through field research and data analysis, it was possible to conclude that devotion and gift system permeate the celebration all the time and that there is insertion of new elements to meet the different demands of the public that appreciate the celebration.