The struggle is made along the way: sacralization of peasant and indigenous leaders killed in land conflict contexts in Brazil

Author(s)

Edimilson Rodrigues de Souza

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
• Defense date: 2019-11-11

Examining board members

Emília Pietrafesa de Godoi; Nashieli Rangel Loera; Artionka Manuela Góes Capiberibe; Maria Cristina Pompa; Edson Hely Silva

• Advisor: Emília Pietrafesa de Godoi

Abstract

This thesis analyses the effects of the ritual transformation of peasant and indigenous leaders, murdered in intense conflict zones in the Amazon and Northeast of Brazil, in mártires da terra and encantados. To understand the symbolic dimension of the struggle for land, water and forest in this country, ethnographic works were carried out in three pilgrimages organized and supported by the regions of the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) and the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI): the Padre Josimo Land and Water Pilgrimage, which takes place every May, every two years, in the cities of São Sebastião do Tocantins and Buriti do Tocantins; the Forest Pilgrimage, which takes place in July in Anapu-PA; and the Pilgrimage of Walking Martyrs, also held in July, in Ribeirão Cascalheira-MT, where it is located in the Latin American Martyrs Gallery; and an Xukuru Ororubá Annual Assembly, which takes place in May, in Pesqueira-PE. By retracing the path of martyrs and encantados in the places of murder and burials, we saw symbolic systems in action, for example, in the statement that the dead leaders "still live and are present in the walk", "planted as seeds" or their "blood strengthens the struggle for the land". The narrative act and the walk suggest the modification of life and death statute (translated into violence) by replacing the martyred leader and encantado at the center of the daily confrontation for human rights to land, water, forest and life, listed as principles. From oral (songs, speeches) and visual narratives (photographs, personal effects, panels, t-shirts, among others) these groups bring out the creative and vindicative dimension of these pilgrimages and assemblies, which honor their murdered leaders, and transform martyrs and encantados into operators of relations between people and worlds (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/20035-9 - OWNERS OF THE FIGHT: Sacralization of peasant and indigenous leaders killed in land conflict areas
• Grantee: Edimilson Rodrigues de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate