Patrimônio cultural e território: banda de congo Mãe Petronilha de Araçatiba, Viana/ES

Abstract

Espírito Santo holds a huge diversity of cultural expressions throughout its territory, among these practices the congo bands, with their celebration that mark diverse communities manifestation in December and January, including processions, drums, sticking and withdrawing the Mast Stock in devotion to São Benedito. Beyond all this ritualistic act, the practice of Congo was accepted officially as the first Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from Espirito Santo, Brazil and also represents the cultural identity of many different groups, presenting on their symbols and defining their territories. In the middle of so many characteristics, I highlight the research purpose focus on Banda de Congo Mãe Petronilha from the Araçatiba Community, in Viana ́s County, Espirito Santo. The Araçatiba Community is located between the rural and urban area in Viana, and in the 17th century it was home of the largest farms on Brazilian Coast, under The Jesuit Administration Order. On these area, for years occurred slavery and catholicism injunction, but the Araçatiba Community preserved its Cultural Heritage, such as the Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and the Banda de Congo Mãe Petronilha. The research presents Congo in Araçatiba and its cultural manifestations in donated lands to Santa Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, congo ́s ritualistic movement as well as the members from Banda de Congo Mãe Petronilha devotion to patron saint Espirito Santo´s congo, São Benedito. Including, naturally, reflections about an ethnic group and members of the Banda de Congo Mãe Petronilha concerning their cultural practice. This group preserves an intimate tradition and memoirs in terms of Petronilha Maria da Conceição, a precursor leadership of cultural customs in Araçativa. About cultural and devotional tradition in the Community, we emphasize our reflections around the Congo as a practice of (r)ex(s)ist black people 's drumming in their territory.