The territory of Cavalcante and the work of women in Kalunga communities

Abstract

The article discusses the issue of Kalunga women's labor within the territory of Cavalcante. This region is a significant biological reserve in the Brazilian Cerrado, located in the northern area of the State of Goiás. This territory is also notable for the presence of the Kalunga people, who have occupied it since the period of slavery in Brazil. The article's methodology is structured upon a literature review, analysis of secondary data, and participatory research involving image recording and researchers' interpretations of events within the territory. The article's data indicates that the territory exhibits low development indices compared to other municipalities in the State of Goiás, being considered one of the municipalities with the highest poverty rates in the State. These conditions strongly affect Kalunga women, who are considered the primary guardians of the Kalunga people's knowledge and practices. It is concluded that the leading role (protagonism) of Kalunga women arises from their actions within their communities in preserving their practices and sustainable management, and that public policies are insufficient to empower and include these women in a way that guarantees their lives and their territory.