Between Floodplains and Uplands: The Construction of Cultural Identity in the Land Struggle of Quilombola/Mocambeira Communities in Óbidos (PA)
Cultural Identity; Territorialization; Heritage-making; Amazon
This dissertation focuses on the struggle for territorial demarcation undertaken by the remaining quilombo and mocambo communities (CRQM) located in the mesoregion of Lower Amazon River, in the western of the state of Pará, with particular emphasis on communities situated in floodplain and upland areas within the city of Óbidos. This region is characterized by significant sociocultural and geographical diversity and is home to populations descended from enslaved people, whose cultural practices, collective memories, and social organization constitute a historically valuable heritage. The research investigates how territorialization processes influence the construction of cultural identity within these communities, considering that achievements related to land titling stem from the strengthening of collective experiences, the preservation of traditions, and the reproduction of customs that sustain bonds of belonging. To this end, four quilombola/mocambeira communities were selected as units of analysis: two located in floodplain areas — CRQM Nossa Senhora das Graças Paraná de Baixo (titled) and CRQM Mondongo (in the process of titling); and two in upland areas — CRQM São José (titled) and CRQM Patauá do Umirizal (not titled). The study is guided by the following research question: How do territorialization processes influence the construction of cultural identity among quilombola/mocambeira communities in the city of Óbidos, in the Low Amazon River Region? The main objective is to understand the challenges these communities face in the historical process of recognition and official titling of their territories. Among the specific objectives, the study highlights the analysis of the cultural dimension as a structuring element of collective identity and territorial belonging. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative approach, grounded in oral history and document analysis, with data collected from the communities, their representative associations, and governmental institutions. The theoretical framework draws on contributions from authors such as Thompson (2002), Pollak-Eltz (1992), Halbwachs (1990), and Bosi (1994), as well as contemporary studies by Funes (2022), Paulino (2018), and Azevedo (2002), which provide critical insights into the struggles for territorial recognition and the processes of identity affirmation among quilombola and mocambeira communities in the Amazon region of Pará.