Fé, tradição e a cultura de um lugar: festa no Santuário Arquidiocesano do Senhor do Bonfim em Bocaiuva (MG)

Abstract

The municipality of Bocaiuva is located in the extreme north of Minas Gerais, stands out for its important popular celebration in honor of Senhor do Bonfim, which is a festivity that encompasses cultural activity and events related to the city's patron saint. This cultural event attracted visitors and revelers from Brazil during the month of July, because it creates a strong bond between the region's inhabitants and their roots, leading many Bocaiuvenses who live in other locations to return to the city during the religious festival period. This study aims to study the Senhor do Bonfim festival in the city of Bocaiuva, in the state of Minas Gerais, in spatio temporal magnitude through the cultural, political and economic dimension. The methodology used includes bibliographical research and investigation of historical documents; mapping the evolution of the party and investigating through interviews how the party resists time, and its changes through the canonical installation of the sanctuary. Understanding the origins of this traditional festivity together with the emergence of the municipality favors new interpretations, since, currently, there is a scarcity of documentary records that detail the history of the city and its cultural traditions. Therefore, this research seeks to fill this gap by bringing academic relevance by highlighting the history, values and customs of the population of Bocaiuva, especially the religious celebration in honor of its patron saint, the Senhor do Bonfim. Through historiographic analysis, it was possible to examine the elements that contribute to the construction of Bocaiuva's identity through the celebrations of Senhor do Bonfim. In summary, it is observed that the new meanings of these festivities continue to occur over time. The festival adapts and incorporates a modern element to maintain itself and continue to be relevant to the local community. The festive space has a deep meaning for pilgrims who frequent the place as it consolidates emotional and cultural bonds between themselves and their traditions.