Demarcation of indigenous land, health and new territorialities in the transposition of the São Francisco River in the Pipipã people, in Floresta-PE, Brazil

Abstract

Land demarcation is interconnected with the social reproduction and health of indigenous peoples. It is challenged by the globalized economy and the implementation of large developmental projects in indigenous territories. This article aims to reflect on the demarcation of indigenous land, health and new territorialities in the implementation of the transposition of the São Francisco River, in the Pipipã people, in Floresta-PE. The theoretical-methodological approach to the study is social reproduction and health formulated by Juan Samaja. This is an analytical, qualitative study, with interviews, participant observation and participatory workshops in the villages crossed by the East Axis of transposition. There is evidence of half a century of mobilizations by the Pipipã for land demarcation, marked by political obstacles at the municipal, state and national levels. Land demarcation was interrelated with health and represented the greatest dream of the indigenous people. To overcome fear, in the context of transposition, they assumed commitments of union, participation and marking the territory with rituals. The transposition disrupted relationships, introduced new territorialities, expanded the challenges of land demarcation, worsened indigenous health and did not promote access to transposed water, the main objective of the project, configuring a situation of environmental injustice.

Keywords: Indigenous peoples; Health of indigenous peoples; Infrastructure project; Health and environment.