Olhares e conexões culturais sobre o Caruru do ODEERE

Abstract

This article presents an experiential account based on photographs from the Caruru festivities at ODEERE/UESB, addressing the demands of the Visual Languages and Culture research group, which was affiliated at the time with the Graduate Program in Design, Culture, and Interactivity (PPGDCI) at the State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS). The aim is to document visually and engage with the images of the ODEERE caruru in search of cultural meanings anchored in the legacies of Afro-Brazilian peoples. These festivities take place in the last week of September, a syncretic celebration of Cosme and Damião, Erês, Wunjes, and Ibejis. This religiously influenced event maintains the nature of popular festivals to support academic research and extension activities. It provides an opportunity for the traditional community, teachers, students, and the general public to attend the banquet, contributing with their brilliance and diversity. The methodology used was Visual Anthropology, with narratives built through participant observation and photographic records. The results identify symbolic elements that portray religious syncretism, with a focus on the cultural manifestations of the African legacy, as well as the cultural significance of images and photographs that accompany the evolution of the festivities.