“Nosso clube”: diferenciação e valorização da negritude castilhense na Sociedade Cultural Recreativa José do Patrocínio

Abstract

This dissertation is about a space of sociability in the municipality of Julio de Castilhos, the Recreational Cultural Society ‘Jose do Patrocínio’, a black club founded in 1913. From the ethnographic and documentary study, we sought to understand the different meanings attributed to the club over its history. This study demonstrated that, through the creation of the club, its black members aimed not only a social space for their families, but above all, were looking for recognition, visibility and differentiation. The dances of the past, in which strict rules prevailed, such as wearing the full outfits and present good moral behavior, the black people from this club were different and were recognized by the society of Julio de Castilhos. The study also showed that, from the 1980s, the club redirected some of its activities to the appreciation of the african-Brazilian culture and to some discussions on ethnic-racial relations. That was evident in the organization of courses at the club in a partnership with the Federal Institute Julio de Castilhos. These new discussions and club activities demonstrate some redirections of its operations to a leisure area concerned with the political, cultural and educational. Amid these new concerns, the desire for recognition, appreciation and differentiation of the black population of Julio de Castilhos still remains. The club has maintained and extended this role assumed since its foundation.