The invention of the order of time in Sobral: chronology, tradition and the common past in 20th century local priestly historiography

Abstract

In this article, I interpret the elaboration of the order of time in Sobral's history based on the writing of history produced by priests, with emphasis on the Cronologia Sobralense by Francisco Sadoc de Araújo, which underpins the attempt to construct a sense of tradition and a common past for the city's inhabitants. We first discuss the sensitive and theoretical concerns that motivated this text. Then, in three other topics, I analyze how three events are represented in the main works of the priests who wrote the city's official history. Finally, I conclude that historiography helps to build a constantly re-elaborated imaginary that forms a perspective of historical awareness, providing the production of identities.