Division and Identities: A study about the construction of identities in the North East of Brazil

Abstract: The Valley of Jiquiriça is a symbolic representation of the multiple changes taking place in Brazil, where multiple and diverse dynamics collide. Situated in the Brazilian North East region as a part of Bahia state, the valley is currently going through a territorial division known as Identity Territories. Almost simultaneously, FETRAF (a new Federation of Unions representing Family Farmers) was created in Brazil; dividing itself from the traditional state union and very quickly becoming a meaningful stakeholder in the territory. Lastly, women, for multiple reasons, are occupying more and more spaces in the public sphere, particularly unions. Combining different theoretical approaches, this thesis explores how the previous events relate to each other and have an impact on the territory dynamics which interact with the historical and structural particularities of the valley. The thesis studies how all this is eventually incorporated, embodied or contested by the different inhabitants of the valley in terms of identity construction and discourses.