A festa de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Paula Cândido (MG): identidade, memória e ritual no Congado e no Reinado

Abstract

The distinct periods of colonization in Brazil and different slaves’ nationalities, in addition to the influence of the Catholic Church on the state of Minas Gerais gave form to this religious festival called “Congado” which variations do not necessarily present the same characteristics on its different forms of celebration. The rites related to “Congado e Reinado (kingdom)”, part of the Our Lady of the Rosary festivals that take place in Paula Cândido, state of Minas Gerais, constitute an important Afro-brazilian cultural patrimony which is characterized by a new composition of African symbols and roles in opposition to a mere cultural assimilation from a dominant society. The festival that takes place every October in Paula Cândido since 1853 without interruption demonstrates the differences in how the “Congado” and “Reinado” are organized. The festival and associated rites are pervaded by race and religiosity configuring a religious symbology: this encounter of culture and religiosity bring up questions on how the African inheritance is articulated through these rites and vestiges of different manifestations suchs as terminologies, behaviors and contact with the Holy and how the African identity is reflected in the different “Congos” tissues.