“Nossa união é a nossa maior força”: saberes tradicionais e empreendedorismo social em uma comunidade quilombola no semiárido piauiense

Abstract

This research paper investigates how the Custaneira quilombola community, located in Piauí, practices social entrepreneurship through its traditional knowledge. The research has a qualitative approach, with data collection carried out through a semi- structured interview with the community leader, Naldinho. The participant observation technique was also used, allowing an immersion in the reality of Custaneira. The results show that ancestral knowledge guides the life of the community, from land management to conflict resolution, being transmitted orally and through the practice of the elders. Initiatives such as community farming and handicrafts are driven by cooperation and reciprocity, seeking collective well-being and the solution of local problems, driven by their leader Naldinho. This fusion of tradition and social entrepreneurship is crucial to Custaneira’s resilience, reflected in its productions, which not only generate income but also enhance the community’s identity. Although there are challenges in dealing with market demands and bureaucracy, the community manages to adapt without losing its roots, valuing innovation that strengthens what is traditional. It is concluded that social entrepreneurship in Custaneira is a strategy of resistance and cultural reproduction, which seeks sustainable development based on its own values ​​and knowledge, ensuring that the future is built without giving up its identity.