Along the civilizational process, the work acquired several meanings for the humanity, assuming peculiar forms of organization and materiality, in agreement with the historical context. Taking the presupposition that studies about work are based in the current conception of modern work associated to the extent of companies, this research proposed to investigate which(es) meaning(s) individuals, in organizations out of the enclave of market, more specifically, in organizations of popular culture, attribute to their work. To answer to this question, the qualitative method was used, namely the oral history, accomplished through narrative interview with the leader of an organization of Afro-Brazilian popular culture. They were found indications that a different possibility from the business work model exists and that categories as spirituality, resistance, citizenship can explain its sense. The work for the protagonist of the researched history is an activity self oriented, out to the relationship money-merchandise, that generates personal accomplishment and accomplishment for the community where she lives/works.
sense; meaning; work; cultural organizations
