The carimbó: traditional culture of Pará, immaterial heritage of Brasil

Abstract

Gathering elements of indigenous, Iberian and African cultures, the carimbó – a manifestation of the traditional culture that belongs to the state of Pará – through music, lyrics, instruments and dance, expresses features of the traditional way of life of this region’s riverside and rural population, as well as the relationship between this population and the surrounding environment. The purpose of this research was to understand some of the historical, ethnical, geographical and aesthetical features of the carimbó from Zona do Salgado, as well as its relationship with the way of life of traditional communities in Pará. Interdisciplinary bibliography and empirical research were used as this article’s methodology. It was noted that, despite the social transformations of the traditional way of life at these locations, the carimbó is still an artistical and cultural expression of social practices and knowledge produced by the rural and riverside population in this part of the Amazon region. Those who produce the Carimbó fight for public actions that legitimize this diversity and contribute to its appreciation, production and circulation. The recognition of the Carimbó as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil is part of this process.