Memory, labour and identity: life trajectories of elderly women from the Botafogo and Caveira quilombos in the Region of Lagos (RJ)

Abstract

The article is the result of a master's dissertation research, whose analysis dealt with the life trajectories of elderly women from Quilombos Botafogo and Caveira, both located in the Region of Lagos (RJ). I recovered the elderly's women memorys through the Life History method, from a time lapse that includes the period from childhood to old age. The most recurring themes in their narratives
stand out, which are: work, identity, solidarity and religiosity. I expose such concepts in the light of classic authors, such as Halbwachs, Pollak, Lins de Barros and Bosi. Explicit is still the social relations between both quilombos, as well as the experiences shared in everyday events, mainly in the practice of planting, considered as a most important activity. I recover the experience of the elderly women through the practices of care, solidarity and social participation in religious life, which constitute networks of social support.