Abstract:
This paper reports on an empirical analysis of the arrangements and hybridizations between traditional and modern values. The focus is the articulations between symbolic and mercantile exchanges, based on the participation of “peasants” in the production of tourism. The general aim is to analyze the transformations and adaptations of rancher values to market dynamics. The data presented were constructed from an ethnography of the Chã de Jardim Community, including also consultations the statistical data and official documents on employment and income in the city of Areia/PB, as well as semi-structured interviews accomplished with the ‘ranchers’. On the theoretical level, a discussion is focused on the ambiguous character of the gift, the obligation of retribution intrinsic to the principle of reciprocity. In this way, it was revisited the interpretations of Marcel Mauss and Claude Lévi-Strauss, in interlocution with the most recent approaches of Aafke Komter, Philippe Steiner, Éric Sabourin and Marcos Lanna, among other authors. The results of the research made it possible to understand the formation and functioning of the microsystem of redistribution of tourism income, which is largely subordinated to the dynamics of reciprocity and peasant values, with emphasis on the pre-existing hierarchical system in social relations of community.
Keywords:
tourism; work and income; reciprocity; gift; peasant ethic