IDENTITY, TERRITORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN QUILOMBO MESQUITA
environmental education, territorial identity, territory, culture, traditions
This research is initially based on my experience working as an the Escola Municipal Aleixo Pereira Braga, located in the Comunidade Quilombola Mesquita, in the municipality of Cidade Ocidental-GO, in the southern surroundings of the Distrito Federal. During my tenure at the institution from 2018 to 2021, I developed an interest in learning more about the local history and culture. The aim of this work is to understand the relationship between identity and territory within the quilombo from the perspective of Environmental Education. To achieve this, the research combines bibliographic, documentary, and participatory research methods to provide a brief historical account of the Comunidade Mesquita, from the donation of lands to the latest results from the 2022 IBGE Demographic Census. Based on my experience in the current community context, I address the relationship with the environment and the role of environmental education in this context. Addressing their cultural traditions, such as festivals, dances, foods that have been cultivated by families for decades. I conclude this research by talking about the community's struggle and resistance in proving ownership of their land.