Memórias de Lourenço: aterros, territorialidade e patrimônios culturais no Pantanal

Abstract

This doctoral thesis analyses the social memory of Lourenço Pereira Leite and his relationship with different cultural heritages linked to his life. Lourenço declares himself to be a traditional professional fisherman, of third generation, and a Pantanal native. He has Guató indigenous maternal ancestry, and paternal Afro lineage. He lives in the city of Cáceres, State of Mato Grosso, Pantanal Norte. The research discusses Lourenço's knowledge, practices, experiences and stories on various topics, such as: fishing; embankments or artificial mounds; the dugout canoe; the viola de cocho; the cururu and siriri, regarded as folklore; the celebration of São José; the wattle and daub house; childbirth and midwifery; and practices of popular Catholicism such as praying, blessing and healing, processions and promises. Cultural assets are discussed in different precautionary processes, safeguard plans and heritage activation. The research identified the extreme and conditioning importance of territories in the continuity, discontinuity and transformation of cultural manifestations and the coexistence and intrinsic relationship between cultural practices, people and the environment.