The Congada of Lapa - PR

The aim of this work is to present the symbolic meanings of the costumes of the Congada da Lapa in 2004, a celebration that dates back to the 19th century, highlighting the changes and continuities that have occurred in the performance. To develop the study, a variety of sources were analyzed, such as newspaper and magazine articles, Jos Loureiro Fernandes' folklore notebook Congadas Paranaenses, the magazine of the Diocesan Sanctuary of S o Benedito, the commitment of the Brotherhood of S o Benedito, the letter requesting sponsorship for the congo group and a DVD with a documentary about the revitalization of the Congada da Lapa. This wide variety of sources enabled a more complete assessment of the different elements that make up the celebration. The work includes discussions related to culture, festivities, folklore, heritage and memory; as well as the Portuguese influence in Africa and the emergence of religious brotherhoods in Brazil, especially among the captives; the historical aspects of the city of Lapa, the life of S o Benedito and the Congada are also addressed; finally, the symbolic meanings of the congos' clothing are studied.