Matriarchal resistance struggle for the territory of the Borari people

Abstract

In this article, I, Neca Borari, leader of matriarchal lineage of the Borari village of Alter do Chão, located in the Brazilian Amazon, present a brief account of some of the moments of my history of struggle. I participate in a cacicado formed only by women and also of the collective Sapu Borari, linked to the Borari Indigenous Association of Alter do Chão. I present in this story our struggle in that collective space, where we, indigenous leaders, seek our rights for recognition, for health, education and, mainly, for the demarcation of the Borari territory of Alter do Chão. We believe that the latter is a dream still distant, but still possible. It is a right for which the Borari people historically fought and which has enabled an important organizational process and women’s empowerment of indigenous women. In this story we speak of exchanges, of lived experiences and reflect on the lack of commitment and on the neglect of the government with the people. We see the invasion of our Mother Earth, which takes away the peace and life of the Borari. Our territory is becoming more and more disordered, mainly due to the growing property speculation, which is its greatest thre- Lucha de resistencia matriarcaL por eL territorio deL puebLo borari347347 at. We also feel great difficulty in continuing the struggle in the context of the pandemic. Thus, in the village Alter do Chão we live an important process of resistance for the defense of our territory, in which large indigenous leaders participate effectively. Currently, by involving the Borari youth in our struggle, we were convinced that the goal of organizing for the recognition of our rights as indigenous people had been achieved.