Balata: da floresta à feira

Abstract

This thesis aims to describe the circuits covered by the latex of the tree popularly known as balateira (Manilkara bidentata) from the extraction, in the forest, until its commercialization in the fair of the Praça da República, in Belém/PA, where it appears in the form of miniatures representing the nature and culture of Amazonian communities. It is a handicraft recognized as a cultural heritage of the state of Pará and awarded by Unesco, which currently depends entirely on the raw material extracted in the State Forest of Paru, a Sustainable Use Conservation Unit located in the region of Calha Norte, where forest concession processes have been occurring in areas of balatais. The aim is to analyze the production chain of balata, from the point of view of extractivists (balateros) and artisans, since they are two distinct groups in the strategy of extraction, production, processing and marketing of latex products. The methodology adopted in the research is based on an interdisciplinary vision in the environmental, social and economic axes, and part of bibliographical and documentary surveys, application of forms, interviews and identification procedures for handicraft pieces.