Levantamento da agricultura Karajá/Xambioá, Santa Fé do Araguaia - TO, Brasil.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to study and understand the agricultural system practiced by the Karajá-Xambioá indigenous people, from the Xambioá Indigenous Land in the municipality of Santa Fé do Araguaia, Tocantins, as well as the history and changes in management, cultivated species and importance. of agriculture for these people, considering the advent of new technologies and practices of the non-indigenous society of the 21st century. In the last century, family farming was strongly present among the Karajá-Xambioá, considering the existence of swidden cultivation with species that are central to the food and sustenance of families in the village, such as rice, watermelon, sweet potato, maize swiddens, broad beans and beans. The research identified the absence of family and collective farming swiddens, as it had previously been present in the community. The current generation produces, but not at the same intensity as before, with very different fields, with plowed or harrowed areas, use of some herbicide, use even of small mowing machines to control weeds. Although agriculture has offered some alternatives such as new tools and technical knowledge, planted areas have dropped dramatically over the years. Currently, few cultivate, and just to meet some food need, that is, almost everything is bought in the city, before the farm was the main source of food for the community. With the advent of technologies and subsidies to maintain the way of life, agriculture is in decline, and this is not healthy. Before, everything that was consumed was produced, totally healthy products, the result was quite satisfactory, the population had more longevity, and little disease caused by food was observed, as seen today. A broad medium-long term work is needed with young people and children, focusing on activities that generate income and livelihood for the Xambioá indigenous peoples through agriculture. Keywords: Agrobiodiversity. Family farming. Indigenous agriculture. Culture.