Contemporary discourses and interpretations referring to prophet João Maria

Abstract

This is a study on the contemporary discourses referring to Joao Maria in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Taking as a reference the notion of discourse as a significant human action (Ricoeur), I defend that the discourses referring to Joao Maria are created by the joaninos (the people who recognize Joao Maria) through their historical culture (which is formed by values, symbols, images, contextual events and a diffuse Catholicism). These discourses also possess temporality, express something and are available to other analysis and interpretations. Joao Maria is seen, in this work, as a founding event around which gravitate many meanings, identified as God, Jesus Christ, a Prophet, a Saint or a symbol of the struggle for land. The legitimated discourses referring to Joao Maria can be understood as adequate in the joaninos interpretation of the world, in the control of the world indetermination, to announce and cease evil, to react against what conflicts their culture, to stimulate the political struggle or to announce the desired world.