Abstract:

This work is about learning on handicraft of babassu palms and affirmative action against barriers in ethnic communities around Porto Velho City, Amazon Region, Brazil. The babassu palm, scientifically named Orbygnia Martiniana Barb in Henderson (1995), is native from the Amazon, with meaning extractive among the residents who use it as a source of income and consumption in ways varied and applications diversified, generating the regional sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to identify the economic potential of the palm between the Amazonian around Porto Velho, capital of Rondonia State, Brazil. The preparation of this study is based on the Ecodevelopment Theory proposed by SACHS (1982). It combines the concepts of regional development with intervention as analyzed by PEDRO FILHO (2004), which researches about the learning on crafts produced by communities for sells to tourists, with advantage for the public treasure resultant of this economic relation. Also, the definition of production systems organizations recommended by ERDMANN (2000) is used focusing on the transformation of raw material into the final product. The methods of MARINHO (2007), is used to analyze the social constructers for opportunities of using the babassu material. The methodology adopted is the Case Study Method recommended by BRESSAN (2000) from FEA / USP, and the procedure suggested by COOPER (2003), with in situ observations, data descriptive notation, behavioral analysis and critical process. As results, (1) the promoting the participation from forest know-how by inhabitants through workshops. Hearsay people have indicated their dissatisfaction with the historical deforestation practiced by farmers in the surrounding areas, (2) which led that environmental education practices to reverse the privilege, which was made possible thanks to the storage capacity. Regarding the transformation process for the preparation of crafts, from applying social technology, expressed in his creative learning to enchant the visitor purchaser. At the end of this study, it was found that sustainability through this palm cultivation and processing generates conflicts between natives and farmers who want to transform spaces in pastures with the babassu trees deforestation. The action adopted by the inhabitants to confront the perpetrator is his congregation associative to affirmative action, neutralizing the economically powerful neighbor. This research allow suggestion of scenario in building innovative public policies for engagement of community ethnic on regional development and the creation of jobs and income in around this metropolis.

Keywords:

Babassu, barriers ethnic, Handcraft production, Learning, Regional development, Sustainability.