Peasant childhood: legacy of names, old goods and new purchases

Abstract

This text is the result of different studies carried out in three Brazilian states (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro e Maranhão), in diverse moments (between 2001 e 2009) and in diversified zones, either close to the main city, as it was the case of Rio de Janeiro and Maranhão, or in more distant areas of it, as it occurred in Minas Gerais, where rural areas of three municipalities were studied in the so called "region of waters" - watering cities, touristic places - (Passa Quatro, Itanhandu e São Lourenço). The sources of data were quite diverse, as written texts, videos, observations and interviews. The aim was to analyze the origin of the names given to newborns and their meaning in the rural zone of different regions in Brazil, as well as the relationship between generations of the same family, expressed through the gifts and the inheritance transmitted by the older family members to the new generations referring goods and chattels as much as land. One can see through the investigation of these processes the social plots that link the several members of family in their pluriactivity and plurilocality, intending to maintain the traditional ties that characterize these communities.