The Paths of Iemanjá

pilgrimage and procession at the Iemanjá Festival at Praia do Cassino/RS from the perspective of Geography

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight elements of the Festa de Iemanjá at Praia do Cassino, in Rio Grande/RS, focusing on the "Caminhos de Iemanjá" pilgrimage and the opening procession of the festival. The main objective is to discuss the role of these cultural and religious manifestations as devotional expressions that reinforce identity and the connection with the local geographic space. The research sought to investigate how ritual practices engage with the sacred and popular devotion, especially in the context of the procession, which is considered the climax of the celebration. To achieve this goal, bibliographic research was fundamental to contextualize the relationship between religiosity and geographic space, with a focus on the cultural tradition of the Festa de Iemanjá. Additionally, fieldwork was conducted through participant observation on February 1 and 2, 2024, allowing for immersion in the practices and rituals of the festival. Photographic records were made to capture the material elements present and the interactions of the devotees. In a complementary manner, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four devotees, aiming to understand their personal experiences and motivations in the pilgrimage and procession. The analysis of the interviews and participant observation highlights the multidimensional nature of the festival, which combines aspects of faith, culture, and local identity. Therefore, the research sought to understand the Festa de Iemanjá as a cultural heritage that transcends the religious, consolidating itself as an event of social and symbolic significance in the city of Rio Grande.