Ante projeto da Praça da Matriz de Afuá: uma proposta para o resgate da cultura imaterial da festividade de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Abstract

Afuá is located on the north-western tip of Marajó Island. Plated through the Vieira Grande Canal. Around 1845, Micaela Arcângela Ferreira, landowner, settled there, occupying a land possession which he called Saint Anthony. Micaela later donated land to build a Chapel for celebrating masses in honor of Our Lady of Conception. Near the land donated for the construction of the Church, they began people arriving from nearby interiors, forming a small population cluster, starting the construction of tents (small frames made of wood with support in the four corners, covered with dry straw), which later they became residences, starting the urban-population process of the local. Afuá Island is approximately six square kilometers. Afuá is a important municipality on the island of Marajó, regarding the commercial route: it has a port and is a travel itinerary for Breves, Chaves, Macapá and Belém. (CITY HALL OF AFUÁ, s/d). Religious traditions permeate the culture of the Afuaense people, among the “Saint” festivities include the cult and homage to Our Lady of Conceição, characterized by the “Arraial da Conceição”, which emphasizes a strong of social relations with a religious nature. According to a local publication, about the festivity, festivities, traditional auctions and bingos were held in the Praça Matrix, today called Dom Alquilio, highlighting the importance of this place for the celebration.