A cavalhada de Ditão Virgílio: sociologia das emergências e a hibridação cultural no ensino da literatura anti-canônica

Abstract

This thesis investigates Ditão Virgílio’s cordel "A Cavalhada" as an example of the sociology of emergencies and anti-canonical literature, with a focus on its application in elementary and high school education, in alignment with the guidelines of the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC). Drawing from Virgílio’s work, which portrays the real history of the Cavalhada performance, a traditional event in São Luiz do Paraitinga, the study offers a critical analysis of the Festa do Divino Espírito Santo as a hybrid cultural manifestation, reinterpreting European elements within a local social context. The thesis is divided into three chapters. The first, "The In-Between Place", traces the historical and social formation of São Luiz do Paraitinga, highlighting the construction of its cultural identity. The second chapter, "Hybrid Emergencies", explores the hybrid nature of the Festa do Divino, understanding it as an example of sociology of emergencies, where local cultural practices reconstruct themselves and resist the dominant system. The third chapter, "Coexistence of Logics", analyzes how Virgílio’s cordel and the Cavalhada illustrate the coexistence and hybridization of different cultural logics, enabling the understanding of how subaltern struggles emerge and reaffirm themselves in literature and cultural practices. By positioning Ditão Virgílio’s work within the context of anti-canonical literature, this thesis argues that engaging with his cordel in the classroom offers a unique opportunity for reflection on Brazilian culture, its legends, and traditions, with an emphasis on indigenous, African, and popular narratives. The study emphasizes the importance of fostering an intercultural and inclusive education capable of recognizing and valuing local identities as a form of resistance and cultural re-identification.