O “JESUS DA GENTE” DO SAMBA-ENREDO DA MANGUEIRA: UMA ANÁLISE DO DISCURSO RELIGIOSO NA CULTURA

Abstract

This dissertation examines the representation of Jesus of Nazareth in the samba-enredo “The truth will set you free,” presented by the Estação Primeira de Mangueira samba school during the 2020 Carnival, a presentation that sparked intense criticism from conservative religious sectors. The study aims to compare the “Jesus da gente” (Our Jesus), as depicted in the lyrics and aesthetics of the parade, with the figure of the historical Jesus reconstructed through vari-ous phases of academic research, including the Jesus Seminar and Latin American Christolo-gy. The central question guiding this study is: how does the “Jesus da gente” from Mangueira's samba-enredo relate to the “Jesus of Nazareth” of Christianity? The working hypothesis, con-firmed by the research, posits a direct relationship, suggesting that the samba from the Rio de Janeiro community captured the profound meaning of Christianity’s foundational myth. The methodology employed involved bibliographic research and analysis of the content and aesthet-ic dimension of the samba-enredo, contextualizing it as an act of Public Theology. Findings indicate that the “Jesus da gente” shares notable similarities with the historical Jesus, particu-larly in his identification with the marginalized and in confronting oppressive structures, alt-hough nuances exist regarding the degree of radicalism in his revolutionary stance, thereby challenging the appropriation of his image by hegemonic discourses.