A cultura da carnaúba em Campo Maior: história, tradição e representações do sertão piauiense

Abstract

This study investigates the historical, cultural, economic, and symbolic importance of the carnauba palm in the municipality of Campo Maior, Piauí, adopting an interdisciplinary approach that integrates local history, popular literature, and regional culture. The research is based on documentary sources, cordel literature, poetry, oral history, and direct observation of traditional practices related to the carnauba production cycle. The results reveal that the carnauba palm plays a central role in shaping the collective identity of the people of Campo Maior, being represented in literature as a symbol of resistance, memory, and belonging. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of artisanal work, especially by women, as a means of income generation and cultural preservation. The poetic and symbolic perspective on the carnauba found in the works of José Cunha Neto, João Rodrigues Ferreira, Valdecy Alves, and Rafael Nolêto reinforces its mythical and emotional dimensions. The research concludes that the culture surrounding the carnauba palm constitutes an intangible heritage that connects nature and society, deserving recognition, appreciation, and public policies aimed at its preservation.