Etnocartografia e modelagem do território sagrado das comunidades tradicionais de Candomblé, Santa Luzia, MG

Abstract

Natural elements form the essence of religions of African origin. Suppression of green areas, considered as potential sacred spaces, has directly affected this tradition. This study presents a on the relationship of traditional knowledge of communities of Candomblé with natural resources identifying potential sacred natural spaces. The municipality of Santa Luzia, MG was chosen as a case study. Methodological features were based on the etnocartografia techniques, decision analysis and geotechnology. Cartographic bases used were provided by the Mining Institute Water Management; Landsat image ; CPRM - Geological Survey of Brazil ; National Centre for Research and Conservation of Caves; Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. A questionnaire containing classification variables (socioeconomic) and factual variables (environmental aspects) and interviews were conducted was prepared. The results of the questionnaires generated a geographic database. From the classification variables, thematic maps were produced featuring these communities. The factual variables supported the multi-criteria analysis to identify potential sacred natural spaces. The result of the analysis was the map of potentiality of sacred natural spaces, low, medium and high potential. Sacred natural sites already used by communities were spatially map and coincided with areas of high potential, validating the analysis. It is expected that the results obtained may constitute an instrument of visibility and appreciation of Candomblé communities, in addition to supporting the creation of municipal planning and public policy.