O PIAUÍ ENTRA EM CAMPO: as condições sociais para o surgimento do futebol no Piauí (1916-1941)

Abstract

Football, introduced in Piauí in 1905, began to gain prominence in 1916, when it became established as a regular practice in the main cities of the state. During this period, although still far from the power and influence it would acquire throughout the 20th century, the sport already served as a significant space for social and cultural interactions. Gradually, it became fertile ground for social disputes, the formulation of power projects, and the construction of local identities, reflecting the ongoing transformations in Piauí’s society. Within this context of growing relevance in social life, this thesis aims to analyze how social chronicles of football published in newspapers from Teresina, Parnaíba, and other regions of the country functioned as vehicles for constructing local and regional identities in the state of Piauí, revealing power projects and distinct cultural practices associated with football. To achieve this objective, the research focuses on local and regional dynamics, examining how football transcended the fields, consolidating itself as an indispensable presence in the social circles of the main cities in Piauí. The adoption of a connected history approach reveals intersections between the local and the global, with particular emphasis on the role of Parnaíba as an important sports hub supported by its Atlantic commercial connections. This perspective demonstrates how football in Piauí was shaped by external influences while being adapted to local particularities. The chronicles from Piauí provide valuable insight into the power projects in dispute during this period. On the one hand, institutionalized football reflected ideals of social control and discipline; on the other hand, informal “peladas” stood out as popular practices marked by playfulness, spontaneity, and flexible rules, adapted to specific social contexts. These different ways of experiencing football reflected the social and cultural tensions permeating Piauí’s society, reinforcing the symbolic role of the sport as a space for conflicts and negotiations. The study concludes that football in Piauí established itself as a field of social disputes, playing a central role in the construction of collective identities within the state. Finally, the research underscores the importance of expanding investigative horizons beyond the southern and southeastern regions, contributing to a broader understanding of the history of Brazilian football and its cultural ramifications in other parts of the country.