O Guerreiro Alagoano: histórias, memórias, cultura e patrimonialização entre os séculos XX e XXI

Abstract

The Guerreiro alagoano, wich is part of the cycle of popular Christmas celebrations, is one of the most well-known expressions of Alagoas, with its iconic church-shaped hat adorning various public and private spaces in the city of Maceió. However, Masters of Guerreiro often call for recognition from the government and society, expressing grievances about the lack of interest from the younger generations, delays in payment, the absence of spaces for rehearsals, and bureaucratic challenges in participating in initiatives such as the Aldir Blanc and Paulo Gustavo Laws. Despite being recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Alagoas in 2019, the complaints persist, raising the question of what the registration as Intangible Heritage truly meant for the Guerreiro Alagoano. This dissertation aimed to analyze the impact of this registration on the groups and how it may have influenced the appreciation, renewal, and continuity of the folk performance, not only as a representation of popular culture but also as part of Alagoas' cultural heritage. The research methodology included consulting textual sources such as theoretical literature, academic works, and news articles from newspapers and the internet related to folklore, popular culture, and intangible heritage; audiovisual sources such as photographs from live performances, literature, and online sources, as well as audio and video materials available online; and oral sources through semi-structured interviews conducted between 2021 and 2023. The study aimed to provide a new perspective on the trajectory of the Guerreiro alagoano, from its historical development in the early 20th century to the present day, reflecting on its symbolism, the meanings of its characters, practices, representations, and its place in the genesis of Alagoas' culture and identity.