Man and nature: cowboys and cattle in the Northwest of São Paulo

Abstract

This article seeks to expose part of the complexity of the knowledge of the cowboys who lived with the different landscapes present in the paths from 1915 to 1940. In this way, we analyze the practice of cattle management, understanding it as inserted in the different landscapes related to benchmarks. We also asked about the meanings attributed to nature in the course of the trips, which directly influenced the definition of itineraries of the delegations, valuing the knowledge of the cowboys. Thus, we sought to describe the cultural universe of the driver and cowboy pedestrian within the structure and daily life of his work. In this context, the interpretation of bibliographic data provided a discussion about the adaptations in the way of life of these subjects regarding the knowledge acquired in the trips and their influence left in the places where they passed. The study emphasizes the contribution of these subjects not only in the social and economic configuration, but also in the cultural region of the Northwest of São Paulo.