Traditional Populations and Political Activism in the Belo Monte Dam Construction

Abstract

This article presents a critical discussion on issues relating to the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam Complex (UHE Belo Monte) construction in the region of Altamira, State of Para, Brazil. The discussion is carried out by an analysis on the development and relevant policy effects over social struggles from traditional peoples against the Belo Monte Dam construction. From this discussion, I point out to both civilizational potential and barbarian dimension involved in the Belo Monte construction, emphasizing that only popular mobilization can partly turn losses into social gains. Within this context, the traditional communities reinvent themselves face to the impacts of the work, incorporating new dimensions in order to conserve goods, knowledge, and ways of life.