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Draft:Crioula Flame

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The Chama Crioula is an expression of gaúcho culture. It is a flame that is lit shortly before the celebrations of Semana Farroupilha (Farroupilha Week) and then carried to each of the 30 traditionalist regions of Rio Grande do Sul. According to the Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho (MTG), the flame is distributed to representatives of all 30 traditionalist regions, who then take it to municipalities and traditionalist organizations.[1]

The Chama Crioula is recognized as intangible cultural heritage of Rio Grande do Sul and is regarded by the state government as one of the most significant symbols of gaúcho identity. The generation and distribution of the Chama Crioula marks the beginning of the annual Festejos Farroupilhas in Rio Grande do Sul. After the official ceremony, the flame is carried by horsemen to municipalities throughout the state, where it is used during local celebrations of Semana Farroupilha.[2]

According to the Rio Grande do Sul state government portal, the Chama Crioula is "considered a symbol that unites the state, represents the history, tradition and soul of gaúcho society. Around it, an environment of reverence for the past, celebration of historic deeds and events, and reflection on society is created." Within gaúcho traditionalism, the flame is also associated with fertility, warmth, light, passion, hospitality and courage, as well as with the preservation of gaúcho traditions.[3]

History

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According to the GZH news portal, "the idea of a symbolic fire came to Brazil from Germany in 1936, in connection with the Berlin Olympic Games."[4]

The first Chama Crioula was lit on September 7, 1947.[4]

The creation of the Chama Crioula took place within a broader effort by young traditionalists in Porto Alegre in 1947 to organize and revive gaúcho traditions. The group associated with the Colégio Júlio de Castilhos established a Departamento de Tradições Gaúchas, which became part of the emerging traditionalist movement.[5]

According to the MTG of Rio Grande do Sul, close to midnight on September 7, 1947, the young men João Carlos Paixão Côrtes, Fernando Machado Vieira, and Cyro Dutra Ferreira were waiting beside the Pira da Pátria in Parque Farroupilha, mounted on horseback. When the Brazilian patriotic flame was extinguished, they took a spark from it, as they had agreed with the Liga da Defesa Nacional. Paixão Côrtes climbed a ladder with an improvised torch made from a broomstick wrapped in kerosene-soaked burlap and secured with wire, and used it to light what became the first Chama Crioula.[4]

Another story that has become a legend in the state holds that the original fire from which the Chama Crioula originated was kept burning for eight generations by the Pires family of São Sepé. According to G1-RS, the story dates back to around 1800, when the location was on a route used by muleteers and cart drivers. According to Gilda Simões Pires, owner of the property, travelers traditionally stopped there to prepare and eat their food. The fire was reportedly maintained until around 1974 or 1975, when a spark was taken from it for the first time and carried to Santa Maria for the celebrations of Semana Farroupilha.[6]

Lighting and distribution

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Group ready to collect the Chama Crioula in 2007

Each year in August, a city in Rio Grande do Sul hosts a ceremony to light and distribute the Chama Crioula. The event is organized by the Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho (MTG-RS), and the flame is subsequently distributed among the state's 30 traditionalist regions. In 2024, the 75th edition was held in Alegrete; in 2025, the 76th edition was held in Caxias do Sul; and in 2026, the 77th edition was held in Rio Pardo.[7][8][1]

Once lit, the Chama Crioula is divided into centelhas, which are distributed to the state's 30 traditionalist regions. Groups of horseback riders then carry their region's centelha to designated locations within their regions, where it is distributed further to municipalities and traditionalist organizations.[1]

The collection of the flame is often undertaken as a horseback journey, known as a Busca da Chama Crioula. Groups of traditionalists travel to the host city to collect a spark and return with it to their communities. Some journeys last several days, and longer rides may involve support crews, overnight camps, and assistance from communities along the route.[9]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho do Rio Grande do Sul (MTG-RS). "77ª Geração e Distribuição da Chama Crioula reuniu 30 Regiões Tradicionalistas em Rio Pardo." 17 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Secretaria da Cultura do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. "Rio Pardo abre a programação dos Festejos Farroupilhas 2026." 13 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho do Rio Grande do Sul. "Piá 21." 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Rosa, Eduardo. "Conheça 12 curiosidades sobre a Chama Crioula, uma tradição farroupilha." GZH, 18 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho do Rio Grande do Sul. "Piá 21." 2016.
  6. ↑ G1 RS. "Fogo que dá origem à Chama Crioula é mantido aceso há oito gerações por família de São Sepé." G1, 20 September 2021.
  7. ↑ Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho do Rio Grande do Sul (MTG-RS). "Alegrete dá início à 75ª Geração e Distribuição da Chama Crioula." 19 August 2024.
  8. ↑ Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho do Rio Grande do Sul (MTG-RS). "Caxias do Sul vai sediar a 76ª Geração e Distribuição da Chama Crioula." 23 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Conselho Estadual de Cultura do Rio Grande do Sul. "PRÓ-CULTURA — Sistema Unificado." Governo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.

Category:Culture in Rio Grande do Sul Category:Gaucho culture

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