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Mandingas of the Ver-o-Peso

You are just a few steps away from getting to know the biggest religious festivity of the State of Pará, the Círio of Our Lady of Nazaré, through the perspective of the Culture of Crafting and the Gastronomy.

While entering this universe, it is very significant for us to welcome you with the Scents of Pará, another icon of the rich culture of the state. Made from Amazonian herbs, the scents are a part of the tradition of the local people, rooted in the belief of the attraction of positive feelings and sensations and many other good things for those who experiment it. Because of its cultural importance, the Scents of Pará are elements which highlight the Ver-o-Peso Market, one of the main postcards of Belém, the capital city of Pará.

Before carrying on, feel free to experience an unforgettable feeling!

Presentation of the Exhibition

At each October, Belém transforms itself. On the second Sunday, the capital of the state of Pará celebrates the Círio of Our Lady of Nazaré, one of the biggest manifestations of the Marian devotion in the world, which unites thousands of people in the streets of the city. But, besides religion, the Círio has other aspects.

The Nazarene fortnight lasts for 15 days, time of an intense religious and cultural agenda, as the one that values the talent of the craftsmen of Pará, promoting the craftwork of various typologies. Círio das Cores!

And when the Berlinda - which conducts the image of Our Lady of Nazaré through the streets - enters the Sanctuary Square and the Mass reaches its end, the festivity continues everywhere around the city. Around the Lunch Table of the Círio, the families unite and welcome their friends. Duck in Tucupi and Maniçoba are a few of the treats served during this celebration feast. Círio dos Sabores!

The Exhibition Círio de Cores & Sabores depicts a part of this religious, cultural and gastronomic mix which embodies the Círio de Nazaré.

Typologies

Miriti

The Miriti craftwork is a traditional element of the Círio de Nazaré and, since 2010, it is considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Pará. A cultural tradition of the municipality of Abaetetuba, situated in the region of the lower Tocantins, in Pará, the manufacturing of the pieces involves a knowledge passed down through generations. The practice is considered sustainable, as it preserves the palm trees used as raw material in the confection of the products.

Balata

The balata is an elastic gum formed from the natural latex extracted of a large tree, named balateira, typical from the Amazon region. It is the main raw material of a traditional craftwork of miniatures inspired by animals, inhabitants and the lifestyle of the  region.

Cuias

From the fruit of the gourd, common tree of the floodplain areas of the Amazon, decorative and utilitarian craft pieces are manufactured. Its production involves knowledge, techniques and practices passed down through generations, in a process which uses only what nature has to offer to achieve the final product. Knives and craft knives are used to draw the geometric and flower graphics.

Ceramics

The ceramics are one of the strongest expressions of the craftwork of Pará, with particular emphasis on the Marajoara, the Tapajonic and the Maracá. Their pieces are manufactured traditionally in a rudimentary form with clay. But, besides the methods used by the first master potters, innovation is being implemented in the art. Currently, there are three product lines: Museum, Utilitarian and Decorative.

Fibers

The fibers are found in animal and vegetal fabrics, and in some mineral structures. Due to the soft and flexible structures, they are excellent raw materials for crafts. Tucumã, jupati, curauá, arumã and jacitara are some of the most commonly used in the production of decorative and utilitarian pieces.

Threads & Fabrics

From stitch to stitch, characters and elements which portray the culture of Pará and the universe of the Círio de Nazaré appear through various techniques, which use threads and fabrics as main raw materials, as the crochet, which integrates the ‘manual arts’ category.  Spotlight on the dolls production.

Miniatures

Through the hands of the craftsmen, small pieces made of miriti are created, depicting elements of the Círio de Nazaré and the daily life of the people of the state. Angels Cart, Promise Cart, Berlinda, the machinery used on the açaí production and other icons of the culture of Pará are a few of the expressions depicted through this delicate art.

Wood

Various species of the Amazon Region, as the Angelim Rajado, Pau Amarelo and Acapu, serve as raw materials for the crafts made in Pará. The wood is residual waste from the certified lumber industry, making the pieces sustainable. The selection considers the texture, tone and beauty. The craftwork requires steadiness and accuracy while modeling the objects. Pyrography and marquetry are a couple of the techniques used by the craftsmen.