Histories to be written: a virtual museum on the black influence on the social-political life in Campos de Cima da Serra

Abstract

This paper reports a research experience in Political Psychology and social memory that has given rise to the first Virtual Museum of Campos de Cima da Serra/RS/Brazil, devoted to the black influence on the social-political con­stitution of that region. Firstly, we present historical data on the process of slavery undergone by the first African black people brought to Brazil, their arrival, their ways of life and their work as slaves in the highland region of Rio Grande do Sul. We explain the methodological hybridism adopted in this research and the importance of multiple methodologies for the consolidation of a virtual space to record and spread histories and memories still silenced by the official history concerning the importance of black people for the political, economical and cultural development of this region in Brazil. Finally, with the use of photographs, histories and memories provided by one of the research participants, we present examples of the methodological approach adopted, and highlight the theoretical and episte­mological dimensions that have guided us. The analysis of the broad range of data has evidenced the importance of creating a space for memories and histories that both arise from the black community and return to it, thus updating histories to be written.