THE BACAMARTE AND CULTURAL TOURISM: THE HERITAGE OF TRADITION IN PERNAMBUCO
Tourism. Culture. Heritage. Blunderbuss. Bacamarte. Tradition.
This study addresses the bacamarte (Blunderbuss) culture in Pernambuco from the perspective of historical heritage and cultural tourism. However, academic studies are still in their early stages, especially within Tourism as an area of knowledge production concerning the bacamarte. This cultural manifestation is more than just gunshots; it encompasses subjectivity, symbolism, and emotions. It is concurrently celebrated by male and female participants (brincantes) who are part of cultural groups and entities based in the four macro-regions of Pernambuco: the Recife Metropolitan Region, the Zona da Mata, the Agreste, and the Sertão. The study aims to investigate the cultural manifestation of the bacamarte as a tourist attraction, currently undergoing a process of cultural heritage in Pernambuco, seeking to understand its influence on the development of local tourism. To carry out the research and meet the proposed objectives, it was necessary to use the field collection technique, involving on-site, in person activities. During the development of this thesis, the author directly participated in bacamarte events, playing an active role. On most occasions, the author was present as a participant, observing closely, recording experiences in a field diary, as well as capturing images and making audio recordings. The methodology comprises an exploratory research approach, adopting the technical procedures of bibliographic, documentary, and participant research with a qualitative approach and oral history. It also includes a field study with semi-structured interviews with municipal public managers of tourism and culture and focus groups with representatives of the bacamarteiros groups. The main results highlighted the expectations of the bacamarte members regarding its recognition as heritage, seen as a way to arouse the interest of tourists and attract the attention of public bodies, thereby fostering the tradition. Despite continuous changes and innovations, the bacamarte tradition, although resignified in some aspects, remains rooted in people's daily lives. The results also demonstrated the intrinsic relationship between the tradition of the Caruaru June Festival (Festa Junina) and the use of the bacamarte. Furthermore, they make it clear that tourism is perceived as an opportunity to present and disseminate the bacamarte culture.