Identidade cultural e musicalidade: um estudo sobre a viola de buriti na comunidade quilombola Barra de Aroeira no Tocantins

Abstract

This dissertation aims to propose a path for investigating the cultural identity of the Quilombola community of Barra de Aroeira, located in the municipality of Santa Tereza, Tocantins, through its musical instruments. Among the various instruments found in this quilombola community— such as tambourines, caixas de folia, different types of drums, and the Viola de Buriti—the study focuses on the Viola de Buriti as a musical and cultural artifact. This choice is grounded in the author's long-standing personal and professional relationship with the instrument, spanning over 15 years as a music educator with a focus on traditional instruments from Tocantins. The dissertation adopts a historical and cultural perspective, drawing on oral history studies. In this context, we emphasize the importance of investigating the stories of the silenced, both individual and collective memories, and the relationships between subjects and the instrument itself. The theoretical and methodological framework that guides this study will be presented throughout the text.