Border(s) territorialities: a socio-spacial reality analysis, from Porto Murtinho (BR)/Peralto Carmelo (PY) to Fuerte Olimpo (PY)

Abstract

The analyzes and observations presented in this note refer to Fieldwork carried out on the Brazil-Paraguay border, in the stretch of the border zone located between the twin cities of Porto Murtinho (BR)/Peralto Carmelo (PY) and the city of Fuerte Olimpo (PY) – specifically, in the Ayoreo indigenous community (PY); Puerto Guarani (PY); Virgen Santisíma indigenous community, Pueblo Ishir, Chamacoco (PY); and the city of Fuerte Olimpo (PY), located on the banks of the Paraguay River, in the Department of Alto Paraguay. The journey was carried out by river, in which Rio became a central element for understanding the diverse and different border dynamics. Throughout the journey, we aimed to understand the border socio-spatial dynamics, marked by river routes; understand the relationship between body, life and border territorialities; learn about the reality of indigenous communities along the international border; and, thus, understand the existence of multiple border(s). We use Fieldwork as a theoretical-methodological procedure, which is, par excellence, the Geographer's Laboratory; readings about space, place, landscape, territory, territoriality and border; field journal; and interviews. The territory produced/reproduced in the analysis territorial cutout passes through the State and people from the most diverse Between-Places, the Paraguay River operates as central element in the socio-spatial dynamics comprehension and the Twin-cities present a web articulation.