“Transbordações” in the daily practices of embroiderers in the city of Barra Longa – Minas Gerais after the collapse of the Fundão dam

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the impacts caused to the embroiderers of Barra Longa by the collapse of the Fundão dam in Mariana, Minas Gerais, which occurred in 2015. To this end, we opted for qualitative research, implemented through the application of semi-structured interviews, in loco, in a direct approach with the embroiderers. The objective was to verify if there were changes in the daily social practices of the embroiderers of Barra Longa, after the collapse of the dam, as well as the centrality of embroidery and if this activity is capable of resignifying places and memories. In order to establish a correlation between embroidery and the aforementioned disaster, we first sought to understand its origin and its path until it arrived in Barra Longa, taking into account its meaning, as well as family tradition, source of income and its place of autonomy. Nine embroiderers of diverse age groups were interviewed over a period of two consecutive days. The results of the interviews were divided into categories, which allowed an analysis closer to the reality experienced. One of the most significant impacts was the loss of family stories told through embroidery, which were passed down from generation to generation. Furthermore, the situation was made worse by material losses and the negligence of the authorities in not giving a voice to those affected, despite the initiative of fashion designer Ronaldo Fraga, who, in the form of art, put the women's embroidery on display at the fashion exhibition at the São Paulo Fashion Week event. Thus, despite so many adversities, it can be concluded that embroidery represents, for them and for the entire region, a source of rescue, joy and income. On the other hand, the coexistence with the embroiderers and the data from the interviews allowed us to verify immeasurable environmental impacts, which time will never be able to remedy.