Religious Celebrations: socialization, celebration, devotion, and spiritual connection in rural areas of São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais

Abstract

Religious festivals have a long-standing global tradition, playing crucial roles in various religions around the word by promoting socialization, celebration, devotion, and spiritual connection. In Brazil, these celebrations have roots dating back to the arrival of the Portuguese, marking the presence of Christianity in the New Word. In the rural Brazilian context, religious festivals incorporate elements of nature and agriculture, expressing gratitude for the harvest and seeking divine protection over natural resources. In São João del-Rei, a seventeenth-century city in Minas Gerais, rural religious festivals are fundamental, attracting residents and those from other communities. The municipality hosts 37 recognized religious celebrations in rural districts and villages, underscoring the significance of these events. This work focuses on seven religious festivals in the district of São Gonçalo do Amarante, exploring the formation of the district and its surrounding villages, emphasizing the importance of rural festivals, and highlighting their relevance for preserving traditions, impacting the local economy, and boosting tourism. It was observed that these festivities exhibit a duality between the sacred and the secular from their inception. People expressed a need to experience both inseparable facets of the celebrations, actively seeking to participate in both religious moments and socio-cultural activities.