Images as rites of passage. An analysis of the use of photography in fieldwork

Abstract

The objective of this work is to analyse the context of image production as a historical source in order to better interpret the photographs. We analyses the uses of the photographs by the Pomeranians, descendents of Germans immigrants, inhabitants in the town of Santa Maria de Jetibá, in central area of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Pomeranians arrive in Espírito Santo in 1870, before the unification of Germany. Although there has been no German immigration to Espírito Santo since the 1870’s, the Pomeranian community have maintained their own language, communal parties, magical activities (which follows the passage rituals), cultural and marital customs. Its means, the ethnic elements that guarantee the continuity of a peasant way of life.