O boi e o sagrado na Romaria do Divino Pai Eterno: a tradição carregada no lombo e as contribuições da assistência social

• Ano de defesa: 2025
• Autor(a) principal: Reis, Gerusa Dias dos
• Orientador(a): Silva, Rosemary Francisca Neves
• Banca de defesa: Quadros, Eduardo Gusmão de , Teixeira, Karine Marques Rodrigues
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás
• Programa de Pós-Graduação: Programa de Pós-Graduação STRICTO SENSU em Ciências da Religião
• Departamento: Escola de Formação de Professores e Humanidades
• País: Brasil
• Palavras-chave em Português: Romaria; Assistência social; Boi; Sagrado; Cultura goiana
• Palavras-chave em Inglês: Pilgrimage; Social assistance; Ox; Sacred; Goian culture
• Área do conhecimento CNPq: CIÊNCIAS HUMANAS::TEOLOGIA
• Link de acesso: https://tede2.pucgoias.edu.br/handle/tede/5355

This research examines the tradition of the ox in Goian culture from a sacred perspective, emphasizing its role in religious festivals, as well as the symbols, mythical narratives, and rituals that shape this cultural universe. It seeks to document and preserve the memories of the oxcart drivers, recognizing them as a significant expression of regional intangible heritage. The oxcart, often called the "giant of the backlands," faces risks of invisibility due to the acceleration of the contemporary world and the advancement of technologies, factors that tend to distance new generations from traditional practices. However, this manifestation, still strongly rooted in the Goian context, constitutes an essential element in the formation of the state's social and cultural identity. The object of study values the sacredness attributed to the ox and, simultaneously, analyzes the role played by Social Assistance during the Pilgrimage of the Divine Eternal Father, on the route between Goiânia and Trindade/GO. Thus, the following research question is formulated: To what extent does Social Assistance contribute to the maintenance of the ox tradition in Goian culture, from a sacred perspective, in the context of the Pilgrimage of the Divine Eternal Father? This study hypothesizes that Social Assistance plays a significant role in providing shelter, safety, and support along the Pilgrims' Highway, thus favoring the continuity of the devotional journey and, consequently, the preservation of the oxcart tradition as an expression of the sacred. Methodologically, this is a bibliographic and documentary research. The study was organized in two stages: (1) Exploratory Research, aimed at identifying the main authors, analytical categories, and reference works on the subject; and (2) Documentary Research, aimed at analyzing records, institutional documents, and cultural materials related to the relationship between the ox, the sacred, and devotional practices in Goiás. The analytical approach is qualitative, with an emphasis on the critical interpretation of the sources. It is demonstrated that the shelter and support actions promoted by Social Assistance constitute central factors in strengthening the spiritual experience of the pilgrims and contribute directly to the preservation and transmission of the intangible heritage associated with the Pilgrimage. By ensuring well-being, safety, and minimum conditions for the pilgrimage, Social Assistance inextricably links the social and sacred dimensions, acting as a mediator between tradition, faith, and public policies. The work is organized into three chapters: the first discusses the historical and conceptual foundations of the pilgrimage; the second analyzes the symbolism of the ox and its inscription in the religious imaginary of Goiás; and the third examines, from a socio-institutional perspective, the support and welcoming practices developed by Social Assistance along the pilgrimage route.