The Ringing of the Bells of São João Del-Rei

An Analysis of Cultural Manifestations

Abstract

The present study proposes to investigate emerging cultural manifestations from the ringing of the bells in the city of São João del-Rei. In this way, a research understood here aims to understand how the bell worker occurs in relation to activities, describe the meaning the bell worker and understand the skills of experiences constituted by the usual ringing of São João bells. The methodology was based on a qualitative approach, bibliographic research and interviews and field research. The semi-structured interview script included the participation of 6 bell players, 5 bell players and 1 bell founder. The collected data were analyzed, showing how the results of the cultural manifestations that emerge from the ringing of the bells are transmitted in the religious feast, in the communicative functions and in the bell worker. A religious festival is exemplified through the fight against bells, for a festive moment more expected by the bell players with the possibility of meetings, learning, sharing and exchange of experiences. In the function of communication, those who are a means of transmission in the city, announce as hours, as religious festivities and news relevant to a community in addition to inviting a population for celebrations. The interviewees claim to be a practice initiated in childhood and in learning occurs through constant observation and exercise. It is a craft in which the bell-keeper maintains a relationship of identity, affection and devotion for bells and ringtones, in addition to defining a playful and bodily connection with the bell object. The ringing of the bells brings meaning to the lives of the workers, leading them to a process of human resignification in their own history, culture and lived experience.