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An inspiring journey through the struggle for land,
uniting science, theater, and literature to transform lives and communities.
In a Brazil marked by inequalities in the countryside, the struggle for
land is also a quest for freedom and dignity. Discover how history, science,
and theater can illuminate this path and inspire actions for a fairer future!
The struggle for land in
Brazil is a story of resistance, dreams, and the pursuit of justice. Since
colonial times, inequality in land access has shaped the country, creating
systems of exploitation that persist today. The expression “when man swallows
the moon,” the title of Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ play, symbolizes the escape
of the enslaved rural worker, breaking the chains of oppression to reclaim
their freedom. This struggle, spanning centuries, lies at the heart of agrarian
reform, a movement aimed at redistributing land and ensuring dignity in the
countryside. This article dives into this saga, exploring how neuroscience,
theater, and literature can shed light on the challenges of agrarian reform,
inspiring practical and transformative actions. Let’s discover together how art
and science can sow hope in soils marked by inequality.
Motivational Quote: “The land is the mother of all, and
everyone should have a right to it.” – Zumbi dos Palmares
Agrarian reform in Brazil
has deep roots, marked by conflict and resistance. Since colonial times, large
landowners dominated vast areas, while rural workers faced conditions of
semi-slavery. Studies from the University of São Paulo (USP) show that, until
the 20th century, systems like the “barracão” — described in the play When
Man Swallows the Moon — trapped workers in unpayable debts, confiscating
their wages to cover goods bought at landowners’ stores. This cycle of
exploitation, known as debt peonage, was a form of modern slavery, limiting
mobility and freedom. Agrarian reform, intensified from the 1960s with the
creation of INCRA, sought to break this cycle but faced resistance from rural
elites, perpetuating inequalities that still challenge the country.
Curiosity Box: The Barracão System
·
What is it? A scheme where rural workers bought overpriced goods at landowners’
stores, accumulating unpayable debts.
·
Impact:
It creates a form of modern slavery, keeping workers tied to farms.
·
Fun Fact:
To this day, the “barracão” still exists in some regions of Brazil!
The fight for land gained
momentum with social movements. Inspired by figures such as Chico Mendes, who
defended the Amazon and the rights of rubber tappers, these movements pushed
for land redistribution policies. Neuroscience helps explain why these
struggles mobilize so many people: the pursuit of justice activates the
anterior cingulate cortex, a brain area linked to empathy and moral
indignation. The play When Man Swallows the Moon portrays this reality,
depicting the drama of workers who, upon realizing their enslaved condition,
attempt to escape, facing hired gunmen and violence. The scene where Alfredo
and Marquito describe the “barracão” system is a cry against oppression but
also an invitation to reflect on how to break these chains.
Inspiring Story:
Chico Mendes and the fight for Acre
Chico Mendes, assassinated in 1988, transformed the struggle for land in the
Amazon. He organized rubber tappers against deforestation and exploitation,
creating “extractive reserves.” His story continues to inspire, showing that
the fight for land is also a fight for the environment and dignity.
Literature and theater have
been powerful allies in raising awareness about agrarian reform. The play When
Man Swallows the Moon, with its innovative blend of actors, musicians,
dancers, and puppets, brings the suffering and hope of the countryside to the
stage. The Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (TBMB) methodology,
created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, uses recycled puppets to tell these
stories, engaging communities in reflections on citizenship and justice. In a
TBMB workshop in rural Bahia, young people created puppets to enact the story
of a worker who “swallows the moon,” escaping the farm. The process, according
to studies from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), stimulates
creativity and boosts self-esteem, helping participants see themselves as
agents of change.
Practical Tip: use
theater to raise awareness
Organize a TBMB workshop in your community. Use recycled materials to create
puppets that tell local stories about the struggle for land. Perform the play
in schools or public squares, encouraging dialogue about social justice.
Another of Santos’
methodologies, the MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), combines
neuroscience and theater to shift mindsets and inspire actions. In MAT
workshops, participants act out roles that simulate agrarian conflicts, such as
land disputes, and seek collective solutions. Neuroscience explains the impact:
role-playing activates the prefrontal cortex, strengthening the ability to plan
and solve problems. The book Principles of the ThM Technique by Santos
details how the ThM (Theater Movement) methodology helps
create dramatic narratives that connect emotion and reason, as seen in When
Man Swallows the Moon. These stories not only educate but also mobilize,
turning indignation into action.
Curiosity Box: Mané
Beiçudo Puppet Theater
·
Origin:
Created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos to teach citizenship through recycled
puppets.
·
Impact:
Used in schools and communities to discuss topics like agrarian reform and
sustainability.
·
Fact:
Glove and rod puppets create a unique interaction between actors and audience!
The fight for land is also
a fight for education and culture. Recent studies show that critical literacy,
as advocated by Antônio Carlos, is essential to empower rural workers. Santos,
who has worked with peasants and quilombolas in Goiás, believes that education
should help people “read the world” so that they can change reality. Theater,
in this context, is a powerful tool. In one community in Maranhão, a ThM
workshop inspired farmers to write a play about their struggles, which was
performed at a local festival. The event attracted supporters and resources to
the community, showing how art can amplify silenced voices.
Inspiring Story:
The Maranhão play
In Maranhão, farmers used ThM to create the play Free Land, telling
the story of a land occupation. The performance moved the audience and secured
support for building a school in the community. “Theater gave us a voice,” said
José, one of the participants.
Neuroscience reinforces the
transformative potential of these approaches. Creative activities, like
theater, stimulate dopamine release, a neurotransmitter linked to motivation,
increasing engagement in social causes. Santos’ methodologies, such as TBMB,
MAT, and ThM, leverage this mechanism to teach and inspire. The play When
Man Swallows the Moon is a prime example: its innovative aesthetic, with
puppets and actors interacting, creates an immersive experience that prompts
the audience to reflect on rural exploitation. As Santos said in an interview,
“Theater doesn’t change the world, but it changes the people who will change
the world.” This idea resonates with the struggle for agrarian reform, which
depends on people willing to act.
Practical Tip: create
a reading group
Form a group to read and discuss books like The Sertões by Euclides da
Cunha or plays like When Man Swallows the Moon. Use the discussions to
plan local actions, such as community efforts to support family farmers.
The future of the struggle
for land in Brazil depends on our ability to unite science, art, and action.
Agrarian reform is not just about redistributing land but about ensuring
dignity, education, and opportunities. Inspired by figures like Chico Mendes
and Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ methodologies, we can turn hope into reality.
The play When Man Swallows the Moon reminds us that, even in the
harshest conditions, it’s possible to “swallow the moon” and conquer freedom. As
Antônio Carlos states, “the world was born to be transformed, it is the
universe under construction”. Let us, then, be part of this construction, with
courage, creativity and solidarity, for a Brazil where land is a social,
economic and democratic achievement.
Motivational Quote: “When everyone comes together for
the common good, the planet breathes.” – Antônio Carlos dos Santos
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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