“Salve o Divino” uma história de devoção ao Espírito Santo no Distrito Felizardo – CE (1994-2023).

Abstract

A source of strong expression of popular religiosity, devotion to the Holy Spirit is well known and widespread in Brazil, a religious manifestation that attracts many devotees, and that each locality starts from a singularity, harboring diverse elements and consequently a history. In this context, the aim of this research is to understand the historicity of the practice of devotion to the Divine Holy Spirit in the district of Felizardo-CE, from 1994 to 2023, in order to understand how this practice was built and is being built, based on the experiences of those who take part in it and give it meaning. This is a study in the field of New Cultural History, with an interface in Popular Culture and Religiosity, fields in which historians work because they are social and cultural products. Therefore, in order to proceed with the work, the contributions of Burke (2005), Domingues (2011), Santos (2008), Andrade (2000) and Sousa (2017) were used to discuss the object of study in history and historiography. In order to analyze the space where this devotion was inserted from the perspective of religious culture, as well as to problematize the meanings of the practice, its modifications and uses, studies such as Burke (2003), Barros (2005) Hobsbawn (1997) Chartier (1988), Abreu (1996) and Souza (2008) guided the discussion, as well as other important researchers in historiography. The methodology of Oral History, discussed by Portelli (1997) and Alberti (2004) and memory with Halbwachs (1968) in carrying out the interviews, which were submitted to the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) under CAAE No.68860823.4.0000.5575. The use of interviews was indispensable for the progress of this work, as well as the use of other sources, such as images and videos. At theend of this work, the complexity of the festival was understood, including its political, social, cultural and economic relations, as well as its influences on these aspects. Despite this range of relationships, the festival persists and adapts to the demands of the present time.