CULTURAL IDENTITY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE “OTHER” IN MATO GROSSO DO SUL – THE CONFLICT BETWEEN INDIGENOUS AND FARMERS

Abstract

In this article we present some ideas approached within the Research Group “Geographical Languages” that reverberate in guided researches which we develop together with the Post-Graduate Program in Geography from UFGD – Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, in Mato Grosso do Sul. This text starts from context the conflict between indigenous communities and landowners regarding the use and need for the land in that state to focus the issue of territorial identity by having as its referential of approach the concept of the “Other”. Such conflict unfolds itself in two antagonistic groups: the first, with strong media support and linked to the economic interests of capitalist market; the second, which advocates the land demarcation to keep the living conditions of indigenous culture. Therefore, there was a conflict between those cultures that seek antagonistic ways of identity and of survival in the same place. We understand that in order to have a better choice of position in this issue, we must shift the attention from the relation of identity of the cultural determinant to the actual sense of territoriality in which this happens.