Physical culture and its expression in the coast of Fortaleza (1925-1946): new ways of education and amusement

Author(s)

Nara Romero Montenegro

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Educação
• Defense date: 2020-05-27

Examining board members

Carmen Lúcia Soares; André Luiz Paulilo; Joana Carolina Schossler

• Advisor: Carmen Lúcia Soares

Abstract

The coast has not always been characterized as a place of amusement and educational practices, as it can be seen in several Brazilian cities today. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the coast of Fortaleza (geographical demarcation of this research) was visited mainly by fishermen and dockers. In the beginning of the 20th century, the discourses and recommendations of hygienists and physicians were disseminated. The search for open air or nature and the emergency of a physical culture started to be a need of everyday life, influencing educational and amusement practices, that took place in the coast. By the 1920s part of the city¿s elite began to build houses on the coast, at the same time the press started to report new ways of enjoy the beach. Assuming that a shift in meaning took place in this space, this research aims to analyze how a diffuse interest in the coast arose between the years 1925-1946. The object of the analysis are the discourses, practices and institutionalization regarding the coast, or that happened at the coast, especially those related to educational and amusement practices which include expressions of physical culture, such as sports, sea bathing, swimming and raft racing. The selected timeframe goes from 1925 to 1946. 1925 is the year when the name of beach was changed to Praia de Iracema, and one can observe other changes in the way people enjoy this part of the coast. The final year, 1946, is a period in which the sea invades houses and establishments located in Praia de Iracema, leaving part of the coast abandoned for some years. The historical sources of this research are: newspapers, magazines, novels, chronicles and images (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/25698-1 - Education, outdoor life and amusement in the coast of Fortaleza (1925-1946)
• Grantee: Nara Romero Montenegro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master