A festa da farinha: migração nordestina e o papel da agricultura familiar no município de Anastácio (MS)Construção da memória da migração e seus significados

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the meaning of the "Festa da Farinha," an annual event held in the municipality of Anastácio, Mato Grosso do Sul, focusing on its cultural, social, and economic dynamics. The research is based on an anthropological approach that engages with the concepts of festival, ritual, and symbol, seeking to interpret how the event mobilizes the population, creates collective meaning, and articulates different cultural traditions. The study investigates how the festival reflects and reconfigures the intersection between Northeastern culture—marked by the migratory memory of many participants—and local dynamics, with an emphasis on the role of family farming. The aim is to understand how the event impacts residents' daily lives, reframes cultural practices, and strengthens, or strains, the relationship between identity and economics. Methodologically, the work is anchored in ethnography, through observation, semistructured interviews, and field diary entries. During this stage, accounts were gathered from local participants—farmers, merchants, and regulars—whose narratives reveal diverse perspectives on the festival's importance. These accounts offer insights into the relationship between tradition and modernity, memory and development, as well as the transformations observed over time in the event. The results indicate that the "Festa da Farinha" takes on multiple meanings: for some, it symbolizes cultural revival and a space for preserving Northeastern memory; for others, it represents an economic opportunity and a driver for strengthening family farming. Furthermore, there is a tension between traditional aspects and contemporary adaptations, reflecting the complexity of cultural practices in dynamic contexts. Keywords: Festival, Flour, Ritual, Culture, Memory