Serrano Empire

“Perpetual Lunar Calendar – The prophetic nature of popular knowledge”

GRESU Porto Da Pedra | Carnival 2024

Synopsis – SUMMARY

Knowledge! Philosophically, it is the verb that brings together diverse knowledge to think, discuss, reflect and teach about something. There is knowledge that emerges from the people and this “popular knowledge” manifests itself in practices that mark the identity of a community, part or all of a society.

Some of this popular knowledge was transcribed into a small booklet, and in 1594, it formed the “Perpetual Lunary” by the Spanish astronomer and naturalist Jerónimo Cortés. This unique artifact gained notoriety in the old world, serving as an advisor and guide for men and women in esoteric, cultural and social ways.

Over the years, the lunar calendar gathered other knowledge, traveled the world, was banned and was remade. It arrived in Brazil in the 18th century with a translation by Antônio da Silva de Brito, and some time later, in the backlands, it became a precious object. Câmara Cascudo (2001, p. 534) rightly said that it “was for two centuries the most widely read book in the backlands of the Northeast, providing information on complicated sciences […]. There was no greater authority […]”.

The “general and particular prognosis for all kingdoms and provinces” of the lunar calendar merged with popular knowledge from the Northeast, giving rise to a unique prophecy in the 19th century. It was also the basis for the almanac of a country boy who admired the stars, taught how to take care of the body, inspired an artistic movement and was recreated by an eternal joker. It is the power of knowledge!

Understanding Avenida Marquês de Sapucaí as a great stage where the people are sovereign, the Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Unidos do Porto da Pedra, with distinct wisdom, celebrates popular knowledge using the “Lunário Perpétuo”, its teachings and developments, as a precious guide for the 2024 Carnival plot.

We find this story stored like a treasure in the faces, voices and uniqueness of our country. It is our prophetic “hope” for a more Brazilian Brazil. It is alchemy, backlands, sun and moon, viola and fiddle. It is our…

 “Perpetual Lunar: The Prophetic of Popular Knowledge”

For on the lines of string, in the squares and in the hands of the people,
Wisdom is the key to liberation!

Synopsis

Alchemy of Knowledge

By recognizing the value of popular wisdom,
This prophecy will be fulfilled…

Born from the primacy of human mysticism, elevation of the spirit in the full harmony of being. Made a touch of knowledge: Alchemy! Stone that ignites! Enchant! Sacred aura and mystery of light.

To open the doors of the future: Wisdom. Link between reason and mysticism. Secret of secrets. From the dark to the light, a saint and alchemists gathered. Things of men, their laboratories, inventions and rituals blessed by the divine.

That transmutes into so many leaves: Lunary! A perpetual guide to kingdoms and provinces. Forged in the darkness of human consciousness, persecuted and forbidden. Reborn! In the light of science, with a touch of occultism and witchcraft. Knowledge or witchcraft? In popular myth, a little of everything, of the tangible and the supernatural. Mystery of the breath of life. Celestial supralunar “quintessence”. That crosses time, immortal…

The Genesis of Brazilian Popular Knowledge

Sailing through a sea of mysteries, a crystal clear mirror that winds through the world, infinite as knowledge itself. And in this coming and going, the lunar calendar is a witness to history, clandestine, among ragged Portuguese or nobles of fine manners.

Pages that were mixed with the memory of the original knowledge and of the blacks chained by this motherland, not always kind. Trinkets. Junk. Treasure found, exchanged, inherited or sold.

Artifact of the genesis of “being-Brazil” that saw drought punish the backlands and the sun burn like a lamp flame. It saw people who no longer end up walking around and raising dust. Fleeing from hunger, thirst and misery. Retirante, severina, fate.

Alleviating punishment! Predicting: Its nature is to fight! In the words of mystics, the blessed miracle of the prophets announcing the rain. Contemplation of the signs! The sweet kiss of the bee in the flowering of the jurema and the ovenbird, a little bird, making its nest. The ant and the termite moving the pieces of this earth. Saint Joseph relieving the affliction! And so…

Omen of the Stars

Seeing the simple man look at the sky, it was possible to understand that there are other teachings in it. It is on everyone's lips: Look for Manoel! He is the lucky “Caboclo” who deciphered the stars. Country wisdom enhanced with old literature forming a new framework of knowledge.

It was then that the sky of Juazeiro do Norte traced destinies and the “judgment of the year” was proclaimed in pamphlets. Astrological musings merging orality and writing. Spell at the root of the word, general prediction:

“On the coast, in the countryside or in the backlands
The average winter already brings us
Lightning and uneven rain,
Profiting some, not others
He who takes care of the plantation is happy,
Sun and Jupiter ruling brings plot:
Every rich person is suffering a lot of fear
And the poor passing precision”

Prescience or hallucination renewing the prognosis made in the zodiacal almanac. Who would have thought! Numerology and oneiromancy. In the palm of the calloused hand of work: Palmistry! Knowledge of the wheel of signs and fortune-telling in the “House of Horoscopes”.

Marked in ink, the matrix of knowledge. On the wooden blocks scratched with a chisel are the characters from these and other inland areas. They are in the squares, fairs and adorn the clothesline of cordel: Magic of good luck, good omens, love and good living. All of this blessed by Padim Ciço and the astral arcana. Just imagine…

Healing Body and Soul

That by taking root with so many other people will teach you how to take care of your body and soul! Mixing things from the time of the ancients and the wisdom of the backyard. Take note, don't miss the recipe!

Fighting the pestilence brought by the plagues that suffocate, where the academy is slow to arrive, popular knowledge comes to the rescue. A good thing to do good, a balm against evil. It unloads everything that is bad! Help for those in need! Charity for those who are poor in money, but rich in candor! There are healers, herbalists, midwives. There is a way for everything!

Each person’s belief, a comfort shared by all. There are herbs with many names, a saint in each household and a prayer altar. A seed that germinates to become a bath, a bottle and a smudging. Strong roots and green leaves to heal where it hurts. It is the teaching of the old booklet, it is the simplicity of living. It is infallible. A generous hug, you just need to have a little faith. It is beautiful to see…

Armorial of Popular Festivities

When the lunar calendar of secular knowledge becomes inspiration. Suassuna! The time has come, Ariano! For the movement to become armorial!

Recreate the art of a living country so that the people can express themselves with an air of nobility. Where the festivities dance, the standard-bearer of culture, your majesties are artists of the highest nobility. Kings and queens guarded by good cowboys. Leather hat, doublet and the chestnut horse for companionship.

Fiddles and violins will announce! The enchantment of cavalhada, cavalo-marinho, bumba-meu-boi, maracatu and pastoril. Mixing the marimbau and musical notes conducting orchestra and quintet. Enthralling Brazilian romance of the Portuguese viola moonlit by the viola sertaneja.

Pennants and coats of arms. Painting, music and literature. The “king beheaded in the backlands of the backlands” will reign in our hearts, and the throne of his return and ascension will be on the “Pedra do Reino”. Caetana’s domains, the merciless sun itself. Where it is written with hot iron, Caetana is a wild jaguar, a winged vision of the future. Stories from the unforgettable minstrel that will…

A Playful's Perpetual Lunarium

Mixing other stories to tell, sing and dance with a player who creates his own lunar calendar based on the experiences and knowledge of the Northeast. It is knowledge transcending time!

To the stage of the old Marquês, where the dreams of the people parade, will come the verse writers, poets and improvisers heirs of Louro do Pajeú. Bring all these people together, from São Gonçalo and the northeast, in the festive heart of Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the daydreams of Antônio Nóbrega!

With the blessings of the Mother of God! Hail Mary, bright star, pilgrim's guide and honest flower. It is Pernambuco speaking to the world: Our voice is wisdom that no one can silence!

Who travels in delirium and adventure! Aboard the “catarineta” ship with its sailors or flying with Tonheta and his “Brazilian rocket”. There is romance in this Brazil of mixtures and questions, there are spearmen of the rural maracatu with their colorful sequins, spears and feather headdresses dueling. Fascination, odyssey and feeling on the great paths of the backlands.

My people are artists, from the streets, from the world. A little bit of everything, spinning around on this “Carousel of Destiny” where there are the verses that the poet wrote, the songs that he sang, five or six things that he knows and many others that he has forgotten.

The circle of life that goes around generations without end. It drives the herd of ideas that are immortalized in the “tears of a reveler” and in the smiles of the children who will write the future of this even more brilliant and plural country!

In the hope of a new era, this is how the lunar calendar perpetuates its mission. As a booklet or almanac, transforming people. Healing and manifesting itself in the form of art. Overcoming centuries and now predestinating more knowledge to the people in the form of Carnival. And then…

“In the magic of colors, in the beating of drums”,
“Once again the tiger shows its claws on the avenue”,
And fulfill this prophecy,
By recognizing the value of popular wisdom!

Plot Authors' Note
The GRES Unidos do Porto da Pedra, through the carnival designer Mauro Quintaes and the scriptwriter Diego Araújo, would like to thank Antônio Nóbrega for his invaluable contribution to the construction of this plot. We also salute Bráulio Tavares, Ariano Suassuna, Lourival Oliveira, Pixinguinha, Antônio Sapateiro, Antônio José Madureira, Levino Gerreira and Wilson Freire who share the credits for the compositions that make up the show/CD “Lunário Perpétuo” which is part of the inspiration for this carnival.