"Entre costuras e brechas da embarcação": habilidades técnicas dos calafates navais da Amazônia Costeira (Bragança, PA)

Abstract

The construction of traditional boats in the Amazon is an important historical tradition, and caulking is a crucial stage in ensuring the buoyancy and safety of wooden boats. Bragança, in the state of Pará, stands out as an important center of artisanal shipbuilding in the Amazon and represents one of the main fishing centers that drive the construction and maintenance of these vessels. This pioneering study aims to understand the bodily and gestural skills and processes involved in caulking in Bragança. To achieve this, I used social science methodologies, such as ethnography and participant observation, as well as my memories, personal and family experience with my family's caulkers. The caulkers recognize themselves as being responsible for securing the vessel against water ingress, due to the adverse sea conditions during navigation. Their activities go beyond caulking itself, and also include painting the vessel. The caulkers' involvement in the caulking process involves careful observation, experimentation and technical skills on boats, wood, products and work tools. There is a differentiation between the various skill levels, which results in the categorization of apprentices, helpers and professionals. Mastery of the processes, the tools and, above all, recognition by the professional caulkers determine the passing of the category. Caulkers are responsible for the fettling, plastering and painting stages of the boat, which require skill, tactile sensitivity and a keen sense of perception on the part of the caulkers. The work of the caulker requires a lot of attention and care to avoid accidents due to the inherent unhealthiness of the activity. In this sense, the calafate, through his skillful gestures, his own corporalities, connects generations, preserves traditions and at the same time adapts knowledge to the current demands of modernity. Every touch and movement becomes mastery, culminating in the manufacture and maintenance of vessels that transcend generations, a true manifestation of the intertwining of technical skill, corporeality and history.