Passado português, presente negro e indizibilidade ameríndia: o caso de Mazagão Velho, Amapá

This article analyses through an Amazonian example how the multi-ethnic orientations of the Brazilian State are locally elaborated. The Brazilian State is now stimulating the promotion of new cultural practises and symbols of specific identities. What is happening with genealogical identities now less considered? How are they located? How the ethnic and cultural distinctions (or specificities) are ritualized and performed? These questions will be discussed through the festivities of a village from the Amapa proclaiming a double and perhaps triple inheritance: Portuguese, with the celebration of Sao Tiago, "Black", with the dance of the Marabaixo and "Indian", with the dance of the Saie. The later actually is trying to be reactivated.