O poder simbólico das “bugigangas”: índios e regatões na província do Pará (Século XIX)

Abstract

This research seeks to understand how was established the exchange activity between regatões (Amazon river traders) and the Indians of the province of Pará, during the second half of the nineteenth century. I analyze these relationships at a time when the imperial government sought many ways to get control over the indigenous, so the relationship between them and the traders settled amid disputes of interests, which largely contributed to put regatões as the ones who deceive the Indians and these Indians, therefore, the deceived ones. Through it all, this study seeks to understand the dynamics of exchanges between indigenous and regatões, their interests, conflicts and alliances.