McLuhanaíma:

appropriation and new meanings of Makunaima/Macunaíma

Abstract

This article explores the trajectory of the mythical hero Makunaima, originating from the oral narratives of the Pemon indigenous people, and his transition to Brazilian literature through the work Macunaima: the hero without any character, by Mário de Andrade. The objective is to analyze how the character was appropriated and given new meaning in different cultural contexts, especially in the work of American historian Richard Morse, McLuhanaima's Return, which adapts the hero to criticize the academic and cultural system in the United States. The methodology is based on the comparative analysis of different versions of the hero, highlighting his capacity for adaptation and reinvention in different cultural scenarios. The article uses José Luís Jobim's theory of literary and cultural circulation to discuss how Makunaima/Macunaíma transcends its indigenous and literary origins, becoming a symbol of cultural adaptation. The results show that the hero maintains fundamental characteristics while assuming new meanings in each context, reflecting the dynamics of intercultural relationships. It is concluded that the circulation of Makunaima/Macunaíma results in successive transformations, highlighting the character's ability to reinvent himself and remain relevant in different cultures and times.