A “Maré é Minha Vida”: desaparecimento e permanência das mulheres marisqueiras de Cachoeira

Abstract

The guiding question for this study was: what were the central factors that led to the disappearance of the shellfish women from the Caquende tidal front in the city of Cachoeira? Our hypothesis was that the environmental impact interfered deeply in the permanence of shellfish in a structural way. The main objective of the research was to analyze the question of the shellfish work in the surrounding social structure that promoted its disappearance of the tide banks. The research aimed to explore the characteristics of the economic importance of shellfish work and the relevance of the work of these women even though they are recognized as informal work and of low economic value. Initially a brief history of the city of waterfall and the Caquende district was made, which was the place chosen for research in which we analyzed some of the reasons for the departure of tide fishermen (in front of the tide). In this context, in which the woman from Caquende fishermen is inserted, to know their particularities, their complications of their professional activity, their internal elements and their social reality were some of the paths followed. To do so, we used the field research with the technique of structured interview, performed with 20 women shellfish from the neighborhood. It analyzed aspects of the way of life of shellfish women, but also questions of profile, gender issues, schooling, color / race, religion and the work process itself, including the reason for abandoning the tide, and in some cases have gone on to buy seafood for resale. In addition, bibliographic research and random conversations / visits were used. We conclude that there are internal cleavages between the Marisqueiras themselves, some seem to have a better insertion than others before the Society and the Public Power, thus, we arrived in 03 categories of Marisqueiras women, namely, the rural shellfish, quilombi shellfish and urban shellfish. The latter is the most affected by changes in society, the lack of public policy and the destruction of the environment. It should also be noted that the shellfish farmers surveyed have a medium to good schooling, have more than one generation involved in the work and are generally responsible for the family income. So they are relevant people of the Society, but who suffer from preconceptions and stigmata, which weaken the profession, but also, on the other hand, are women empowered and willing to fight for their space and for recognition and appreciation.