Material and Immaterial Symbolic Elements of the Feast of the Congado of Our Lady of the Rosary of Abaeté, MG

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint Benedict, and Saint Efigenia in Minas Gerais, focusing on the analysis of memory, heritage, and popular culture, as well as the symbolic elements that characterize this cultural manifestation. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on literature about cultural heritage and Rosary festivals. The analysis addresses the relationship between resistance, religiosity, and the affirmation of identities. We explore the contribution of orality in the perpetuation of cultural traditions, drawing on socio-anthropological theories. Method: The methodology employed was mixed, combining literature review and documentary analysis for historical and cultural background, in addition to empirical data collection through interviews, informal conversations, and video analysis, with the goal of understanding the current dynamics of the festival. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that, although the festival has a Catholic character, it preserves and perpetuates elements of Afro-Brazilian culture. It continues to be transmitted orally, from generation to generation, as a lived experience that blends Portuguese Catholicism and Afro-Brazilian tradition, presenting itself as a space of resistance and identity affirmation. Research Implications: This study emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural manifestations as intangible heritage. The formal recognition of these cultural practices can strengthen collective memory and ensure preservation. Originality/Value: The research contributes to the understanding of the festival as a cultural phenomenon that reflects the interaction of different cultures. Its originality lies in the analysis of the symbolic elements of the festival and in the appreciation of the transmission of tradition.