Emílio Willems's text, originally published in 1944, argues for the heterogeneity of Brazilian culture and evaluates the possibilities for intervening in 'caboclo cultures.' The specific issue is the plan for the agricultural school being implemented at the time in the state of São Paulo by governor Fernando Costa. The German anthropologist assesses this proposal, making a number of reservations, and presents a research program for studying rural communities in Brazil.
Sertão cultures; Caboclo; Caipira (Peasant); Studies of communities