Weaving the links between food and German immigration in Agudo/RS

Abstract

This article presents a study about German immigration to Agudo, the preservation of practices in the preparation of typical foods and how and who preserves the knowledge of these recipes. Agudo is a municipality located in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which received immigrants of German origin from the 19th century onwards and maintains some characteristics of that culture. It aims to verify how food helped in the re-territorialization process and in the construction of the individual's identity in the process of feeling like they belong to the new group in a new territory. Furthermore, it aims to identify which existing typical dishes come from the Germanic culture in Agudo and which cultural interferences and local ingredients were/are part of the preparation of this food.  Through bibliographical research, fieldwork and interviews with descendants of these immigrants and public agents linked to the agricultural production and cultural sector of the municipality, the way in which this knowledge is preserved was verified. The results express its permanence in food production processes and in recipe records, keeping Germanic culture alive in family units and communities and being updated and given new meaning in public festivities and in everyday life.