São Benedito, festa e resistência cultural: a contribuição do capital social na preservação do patrimônio imaterial

Abstract

The festival of São Benedito in the municipality of Machado (MG) has been held for more than a hundred years with intense participation and mobilization of various sectors of the community. The objective of this research is to understand the contribution of 'social capital' in the preservation of this feast. Therefore, it is based on the hypothesis that the party has been maintained throughout the years as a result of the social capital existing in this community. Social capital refers to characteristics of social organization, such as trust, systems and norms that help to increase the efficiency of society, facilitating coordinated actions and spontaneous cooperation (PUTNAM, 2006). Thus, it is intended to analyze how the organization and execution of the party occurs, relating the participation of the people and the public power with the existence of a social capital that has been multiplying over the years. We used a non-experimental approach, in its qualitative aspect, bibliographical, documentary, exploratory, semi-structured interviews and research of observational character before and during the celebration of 2017. Data analysis was performed through content analysis (BARDIN, 2011). It was verified that the process of preservation of the party is the result of a collective doing that changed over the years, being identified in the research, three major groups responsible for the organization of the event: the Association of Congadeiros, the Holy Family Parish and Santo Antônio and the City Hall. Relations between groups, of course, involve cooperation and conflict, as well as vertical and horizontal relations, the latter being facilitators of social capital. The contributions of social capital in the preservation of this intangible cultural heritage are materialized through an institutional arrangement delimiting roles and functions; as well as through the spontaneous collaboration of the community; through the joint action of the groups, which together achieve an objective that can not be achieved individually. In addition, in the process of preservation cultural hybridity and resistance were perceived, cultural values that mark the maintenance of this celebration, highlighting the resistance of the congadeiros to continue participating in the event despite the difficulties they face.