Lendas amazônicas: representação da literatura oral nas toadas de boi-bumbá do Festival Folclórico de Parintins

Abstract

The Parintins Folklore Festival, held annually on the last weekend of June on the island of the same name in the state of Amazonas, is one of the largest cultural events in Brazil, notable for the performances of the Bois-Bumbás Garantido and Caprichoso. The songs that accompany the performances, called toadas, are fundamental to the narrative and development of the festival, often incorporating elements of the rich Amazonian mythology, playing an essential role in the performance of the event. They not only liven up and excite the three nights, but are also fundamental vehicles for the transmission of stories, myths and legends that make up the rich Amazonian diversity. The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between oral literature and popular festivals, with a specific focus on the toadas at the Parintins Folklore Festival. The research seeks to understand how Amazonian legends are represented in the toadas, which are the songs that accompany the event's performances, and what role they play in preserving regional culture. By transmitting stories and myths, these toadas act as essential vehicles for the continuity of oral literature in the Amazon, functioning as cultural archives and contributing to the transmission of traditions between generations. The methodology adopted in the study includes a bibliographical analysis of oral literature and popular festivals, in addition to exploratory research to investigate the most recurrent legends in the toadas. The research also includes interviews with composers, event participants and consumers, in order to understand the influences of the toadas on the construction of the festival. The main theorists who supported this research were Cascudo (2006), Nogueira (2013), Zumthor (2000), among others who contributed significantly to the research. The importance of the work lies in the recognition of the toadas as a vital means for the preservation and dissemination of Amazonian culture, highlighting their role in maintaining regional identity and strengthening cultural manifestations.