Dos saberes imateriais à concepção dos artefatos: uma etnografia do design vernacular em um quilombo da Paraíba.

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze how immaterial knowledge is symbolized in the conception of artifacts produced in quilombola communities in the state of Paraíba. Reflecting a deep and intimate relationship with its home territory, expressing its history, its culture, its social relations and its immaterial knowledge, the vernacular design resulted from traditional production processes is being replaced by the incorporation of new industrialized products and disappearing along with the techniques that perpetuated themselves within familiar and social interactions. Furthermore, the practices, expressions, knowledge, processes, lifestyle and techniques that were historically reproduced generation to generation are being disfigured by the lack of interest from the young portion of the community. However, as a way of recording and rescuing the Immaterial Culture of these communities, researchers have been making descriptions of the symbolic universe materialized in the artifacts that represent the context and individual and collective identity. Seeking to understand this symbolic dynamic between artifacts and immaterial knowledge, this paper aims to answer the following research question: how do vernacular artifacts in quilombola communities symbolize the knowledge of their immaterial culture? The research was conducted to analyze how immateriality is symbolized in the conception of artifacts produced in the Quilombola do Grilo Community, in Riachão do Bacamarte, Paraíba State. To collect data, Ethnography was used, which is a methodological procedure that emerged within Anthropology, but has also been used in other sciences. It was based on Participant Observation, where the researcher sought to incorporate himself into the community, living the daily life of this environment. Semi-structured interviews were applied, field diary was also used and photographic records taken. As a result, it can be seen that the design of vernacular artifacts in this community (such as earthenware, which were the main artifacts selected for data analysis), is reproduced from immaterial knowledge that was passed on, mainly, from a historical-familiar structure. In addition, this symbolization is represented from the morphology of the artifact, which brings with it a range of elements that determine its formal-aesthetic, resulted through the empirical methodology applied and adapted according to the historical period lived. Beyond that, what most characterizes this symbolization is the sustainability of immaterial culture (mainly transmitted through oral production) where some aspects are preserved, while others are updated, but each of them determines the ethnic identity of a group and its particular vernacular design.