Bnei Anussim ou marranos e os criptojudeus da região rural de Caruaru-Pernambuco.

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the identity and sense of belonging of the Bnei Anousim living in the rural region of Caruaru, Pernambuco. The Bnei Anousim are descendants of New Christians who, throughout history, have preserved, in a veiled manner, elements of the Jewish tradition in their culture and daily practices. The study analyzes the anthropological, historical and social context that shapes the existence of these communities and how the remnants of crypto-Jewish practices remain alive in their customs and religious experiences. The objective of this dissertation is to explore the identity and sense of belonging among the Bnei Anousim of the rural region of Caruaru, shedding light on the historical, cultural and religious factors that influenced the formation of these communities. The research seeks to understand how these descendants of New Christians have maintained aspects of their Jewish ancestry and how these elements are still recognized and resignified in their daily lives. Regarding the methodology used, the data presented were collected through bibliographic research in books, specialized magazines and audiovisual materials, such as photographs, films and videos. These resources made it possible to trace the historical movement of the Bnei Anousim throughout the state of Pernambuco and identify characteristics that mark these communities. In addition, a questionnaire prepared by Rabbi Abraham Deleon-Cohen, of the Rabbi At Abarbanel Foundation, based in Miami, United States, was used. This questionnaire, administered in 2017, served as a basis for identifying a group of Bnei Anousim established in Pernambuco. The documentary research also included analyses in the archives of the Torre do Tombo, in Portugal (online), and surveys in local synagogues, such as the Beit Chabad Synagogue, the Israelite Center of Pernambuco and the Martins Júnior Synagogue, in addition to records found in Jewish cemeteries of the Jewish Community of Pernambuco. The questionnaire was administered to twenty families from Pernambuco through semi-structured interviews in face-to-face focus groups, allowing the identification of patterns of behavior and crypto-Jewish practices. The results reveal that the communities investigated maintain cultural and religious aspects linked to crypto-Judaism, evidencing a historical continuity of Jewish identity even in the face of adversity. The research confirms that emblematic elements of Jewish tradition are still present in the daily lives of these families, strengthening their identity and sense of belonging. Thus, the study contributes to the understanding of the social and cultural dynamics that permeate the history of the Bnei Anousim in Pernambuco and their relationship with Jewish tradition.