Territoriality and Heritage in Ibiraquera: Social Cartography of an Azorian Community

Abstract

Coastal artisanal fishing communities possess an invaluable historical, cultural, and natural heritage, whose relationship with their traditional territories is not evident. Established from generation to generation, they carry with them a rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as integrating important natural features. By addressing the question "How does historical, cultural, and natural heritage express a sense of territoriality for Azorean coastal communities established in southern Brazil?", this research seeks to relate the territory to the people who live there. Thus, data were collected in the community of Ibiraquera, located on the coast of the south-central region of the state of Santa Catarina, through: (i) guided visits to record points of importance and stories; (ii) semi-structured interviews; and (iii) meetings to construct social cartography. Participants were selected using the snowball method, with Quantum Gis (QGIS) software used to create maps. By prioritizing knowledge construction from a popular, symbolic, and cultural perspective, social cartography is a participatory research method in which social actors express their territorialities, desires, and ancestry. Fishing ranches, flour mills, traditional paths, cultural events, and points of historical importance were highlighted as historical, cultural, and natural heritage sites. These assets demonstrated an intrinsic connection between the community and its traditional territories, encompassing both tangible and intangible aspects. Engagement with space, over generations and through its use and appropriation, has provided a sense of territoriality to this traditional population that is closely linked to its heritage.