The waters of the Arrojado river: dispute between commodity monoculture and the traditional ways of life of Fundos e Fechos de Pasto

Abstract

This text aims to present research notes linked to exploratory fieldwork carried out in the municipalities of Correntina and Luís Eduardo Magalhães, both located in Bahia in March 2023. The territory of Correntina is crossed by five rivers – Correntina, Arrojado , Meio, Guará and Santo Antônio – which together with other rivers in the Corrente River Basin are considered an important “cradle of waters”, flowing into one of the most important basins in the national territory: São Francisco. The wealth of water essential for the life of traditional munities, for planting and grazing is the same that attracts large commodity producers. During the fieldwork we traveled roads to understand that, in addition to land, the dispute in the region takes place over another important asset: water. This study proposes a reflection on the different forms of use and experiences alongside the waters of the Cerrado from the different perspectives that inhabit or are present in the region.