O BAILE DE SÃO GONÇALO EM SÃO VICENTE FÉRRER: a representação do guia na relação com o santo e com o promesseiro

Abstract

The study talks about São Gonçalo Festivity in São Vicente Ferrer city, state of maranhão. This popular religious manifestation was set in Brazil in the colonail period and was brought by colonizers from Portugal. From the comprehension of this manifestation since its origin context, we will go on to the Brazilian space and to the local community in a particular way. The ritual is analyzed according to the view of various theorists in the two categories: ritual and Festivity. It s passed by the influences through the contact with other manifestations, as well as its baroque characteristics. The ritual ethnography intends to show the festivity and all of its exuberance. It is viewed as a joiner element of the community with the power of changing the routine and making everybody works towards it. The religious vow is essential condition to the festivity fulfilment and through it the vow maker reinforce the ties with the Saint and the ritual led by the guide is achieved. At last, the party is also viewed as a live force in the community s imaginary with no tendency to the disappearance.