O guardião da Memória

Abstract

After a survey on the feast of the Holy Ghost, carried out in the city of Santa Cruz de Goiás, a small city in the interior of the State, it was possible to see the shaping of a figure who became both the theme and the object of this dissertation. Centering the discussion upon cultural assets, memory and identity, I identified and nominated a character who represents a new category: the NATIVE MANAGER. It is known that the activity carried out by this manager has always existed and that he has already been recognized by organizations such as UNESCO and IPHAN, even though they might have given him a different title. Cognizant of the rituals, with a view of his own, often times acrimonious and disparaging, of the society where he lived, the character did not possess political power which would give him status, but he exerted a specific kind of power that emanated from his acknowledged wisdom, albeit not an erudite or academic one. Cultural manifestations were kept alive because within the community there was this manager who recognized the importance of their cultural asset. His unchallenged leadership and charisma, along with the ability to administrate people and events made his actions possible. Within a simple and resourceless universe, deep in the hinterland, the manager promoted scenically elaborate feasts, commemorations and pageants, challenging congeneric activities held by the erudite city dwellers. I was able to see for myself these characteristics, bearing witness throughout more than 20 years, in this community, of the way in which he was respected and followed by everyone. The manager interpreted and analyzed not only the History, but also his own history, thereby preventing documents, music, rites and mores from becoming lost. The person who incorporated this character was Alberto da Paz. His life history has its origins in his slave ancestors and is still in the making as even blind, he persists in his role as manager. An indispensable figure in rehearsals, chants, performances, in fact, everywhere, he is the "the guardian of memory" who gives these people their identity.