Memory and oral narrative: two ways of mediating the discussion on São Benedito’s miracles, in Bragança, Pará, Brazil - Twentieth Century

Abstract

This work intends to focus on some studies such as the oral narrative and memory aiming the enrichment of theoretical, methodological and historiographical discussions about miracles’ practices linked to the worship of São Benedito (saint), in Bragança, Pará, Northern Brazil. Our main goal is analyze some devotees’ reports about miracles resulting from promises to São Benedito, in order to show the relationship between the devotees with the past (second half of the twentieth century) and the present time. The research has an anthropological approach (ethnographic) and it uses the oral history as an essential method to building a more democratic memory about the past. The results indicate that over time the devotees - among the age group 50-80 years - show changes in ideas of safety, motivation, confidence, prestige and others.