the flour houses in the village of boa vista da tapera/encruzilhada/bahia as a strategy for peasant reproduction

Abstract

The municipality of encruzilhada, in the state of bahia, is characterized as a coffee monoculture production hub for commodities, due to the expansion of agribusiness. Since the 1990s, the region has undergone profound transformations in its agrarian space. On the other hand, the artisanal production of manioc flour and its derivatives—especially in the district of boa vista da tapera, encruzilhada/bahia—has emerged as one of the main economic activities for these social subjects, serving as a means of (re)existence in the struggle for and on the land, and for ensuring their survival. This article aims to analyze the (re)existences and the processes of territorialities of the social subjects who experience, in their daily lives, the flour houses and the manioc root processing activities, from which various traditional food products are derived, as a strategy of (re)existence. The study is based on a qualitative approach and relies on theoretical research on the topic, as well as documentary and field research, including semi-structured interviews and iconographic records. The systematization of the information presented was carried out in conjunction with theoretical discussions, in order to enable reflections on the reality under study. The results demonstrate that the production of manioc flour and its derivatives represents more than an economic strategy; it constitutes a significant artisanal activity in this locality and stands as an emblematic element in the identity construction and social interactions of these subjects. The flour houses also enable the (re)existences and the social reproduction of the family groups who inhabit and engage with these spaces daily.