Etnocartografia e análise dos valores da geodiversidade com comunidades tradicionais de artesãos em pedra-sabão da região do Quadrilátero Ferrífero - Minas Gerais

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the process of ethnocartography construction and the geodiversity values with traditional communities of soapstone (steatite) artisans in Iron Quadrangle in Minas Gerais. The investigation took place in production units of steatite located in districts Cachoeira do Campo and Santa Rita de Ouro Preto in Ouro Preto. The steps for the methodology development of research involved: a) field investigations with the community to recognize and characterize the handcrafted production system of soapstone; b) conducting workshops of social mapping aiming to structure of etnomapas; c) laboratory works for making digital and participatory maps and exploratory and comparator analysis of cultural values of geodiversity detailed in maps; and, finally, d) socialization and return of the experiences with communities. The results demonstrated that the location of craft producers cores in soapstone directly affects the dissemination and commercialization of manufactured products. It was also perceived that the craft production system from steatite lies in decline phase as it the number of mines available for extraction of rock is dwindling and the remaining quarries are mostly in possession of large companies. Unfair competition and the absence of occupational regulations governing and social organization among the local artisans also have corroborated this tendency. Moreover, another factor analyzed that disaggregates the functional body of the craft in soapstone involves productive family discontinuity, in that younger individuals are unwilling to replicate the oldest legacy of knowledge, concerning the handling of the rock. Within the framework of terms of local geodiversity, one may observe that the use of soapstone represents great historical-cultural and economic ties with the communities involved, since most of the respondents characterized the craft process of soapstone as a primary factor for the edification of tradition, customs and knowledge of the investigated area, besides being the main motivator element of the local economy. The esthetic value associated with soapstone also deserves to be highlighted, because the artworks carved in that rock have highlighted ornamental character and are exposed at various points throughout in the region and the Iron Quadrangle, such as churches, museums, mansions and other local representative for that culture. From the results achieved, it is expected that the ethnocartography performed with craftsmen and the ethnocartographic models generated act as a tool for dissemination of products and services undertaken and may contribute to the local development processes, to recovery and rescue of historical-cultural and natural heritage and in the establishment of guidelines for the design of public policies that will safeguard and estimate the artisanal production of soapstone.