THE CATU FOREST AS A PLACE OF MEMORY
Memory, Catu, Forest
The aim of this work is to study the memories of Catu dos Eleotérios and the relationship between the indigenous people and the forest from an ethnographic perspective, linking life stories and the representation of nature. The oral records of the members of the indigenous community about the forest, the places of memory and the space traditionally occupied by the group will be analyzed. It will study the oral narratives of their stories of enchantment related to descriptions of extractive practices and beliefs about the forest. These records are passed down through oral tradition by the elders, raizeiros, collectors and herb women. Today, the passing on of this oral tradition could disappear, with the territory threatened by river pollution, sugar cane monoculture and the intense deforestation caused by the advance of sugar cane plantations. The main result of these attacks on traditionally occupied territory is the displacement of residents who leave the village to work in urban centers. These problems also affect the preservation of Catu's fauna and flora and access to natural resources for productive activities; consequently, the maintenance of their memories and knowledge through oral tradition, by this migration of indigenous people belonging to the inhabitants of the Catu forest.