Territorialidade e temporalidade: o resgate de saberes tradicionais a partir das vivências de produção de erva mate de Carijo

Abstract

Mate tea plays a crucial role in the history of South America's formation, with deep roots in the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. During colonization, the Spanish attempted to prohibit its use; however, the herb persisted, continuing to be consumed and produced. Mate tea endured, particularly in the Jesuit reductions in Rio Grande, where its cultivation advanced between 1682 and 1750, traded with Spanish colonies. The dynamics of mate tea and spatial formation in Rio Grande do Sul were shaped by European colonization from the 19th century until 1930, dividing between settlers in the north and Azoreans in the south. From the second half of the 20th century, logging and technological advancements led mate tea into industrial processes, resulting in the loss of native plantations and traditional knowledge. The structural change in production methods created territorial and temporal tensions, affecting both production and those involved. The artisanal crafting of mate tea, known as Carijo, an ancestral technique of indigenous peoples, gradually yielded to industrial methods. Beyond being an economic and consumption source, Carijo fostered sociability through gatherings known as "puxirões" or Carijo rounds, accompanied by folkloric expressions. Faced with contemporary challenges of cultural and environmental preservation, this work seeks to reclaim knowledge about mate tea through experiences of Carijo production. The goal is to understand the plant's origin, the Carijo technique, the organization of these experiences, and their contribution to strengthening territories. Considering cultural and environmental importance, exploring these experiences can be a valuable strategy for preserving and transmitting traditional knowledge, ultimately strengthening communities and their territories.