A terra das rendas de Bilro : tradição, artesanato, economia e cultura em São Sebastião-AL

Abstract

Because of its artisanal tradition, the municipality of São Sebastião-AL is known as “The land of bobbin lace”. Taking Salome's lacemakers and their spatiality as an object of study, this work sought to answer, through a geographic analysis, why, and, mainly, how this space is perpetuated until today as an important place of artisanal production within the state of Alagoas. For this, the history and formation of São Sebastião-AL and its economy were analyzed, as well as the development of bobbin income in Europe and how it arrived in Brazil. Through a documentary and bibliographic research, the path of handicrafts was traced, and, in particular, the handicrafts of yarn since its origin and expansion, going through its periods of crisis and its reaction to the Industrial Revolution, until the present moment, when artisans are supported by laws and seek integration and economic development through an activity that is part of the lower circuit of the economy of underdeveloped countries. Using participatory research, communicative relations were established with the lacemakers of São Sebastião-AL and, through this information, a profile of the bobbin lace production in the municipality was drawn up, observing the materials used, the work, the form of organization, the products and marketing. Paying attention to that last mentioned item, this work also addresses the relationship between Salome lacemakers and their main buyer, businesswoman Martha Medeiros. In addition, the old and new ways of teaching and learning the trade and the importance of this activity in the lives of those who did it were analyzed. In this way, the work provides an overview of the reality of the lacemakers in the municipality of São Sebastião-AL, noting that the work is done almost predominantly by women over the age of 50 - most of whom are already retired - and find it in income production bobbins an extra source of savings. A group of women who are faced with a lack of encouragement, appreciation and health issues, aspects that led to a decrease in active lacemakers in the municipality and a concern on the part of them that one day the tradition will end in São Sebastião-AL.