Cultural heritage: ancient crafts in Porto Alegre

Abstract

This study displays 15 centennial crafts from the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. We understand the definition of craft, common sense, as "manual or mechanical occupation which assumes some degree of skill and that is useful or necessary to society' from the Latin oficiu, "duty." There are numerous links related to everyday practices of craft, but this article will aim at the know-how process and its register. From the point of view of Urban Cultural Heritage, the article focuses on the continuities of these crafts in time and space - materials, tools and techniques, its products and services practiced autonomously, with complete mastery of the process, and the passing of the work of craftsmen in their workshops or at home, through their lives, sayings and hands. We show you the intangible heritage of know-how in Porto Alegre.