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ABSTRACT
In this paper, we analyze the process of social production of knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants in three groups of rural women who gather and commercialize plants in the department of Canelones, Uruguay. This study is based on the hypothesis that the social labeling of these practices as exclusive to the domestic sphere has decontextualized and hidden the production of knowledge in such spaces, invisibilizing and not recognizing female contributions. We analyze four behavioral dynamics of this knowledge (conservation, erosion, innovation and transformation) in relation to the influence of the sex/gender system in the production and social valuation of this knowledge. Finally, given that these groups of women commercialize medicinal plants and products, we reflect on the transition of this knowledge into the commercial sphere, the consequences, possible changes and the effects on the social valuation of this knowledge.
RESUMO
Neste artigo, analisamos o processo de produção social do conhecimento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais em três grupos de mulheres rurais que coletam e comercializam plantas no departamento de Canelones, Uruguai. O estudo parte da hipótese de que a rotulação social dessas práticas como exclusivas da esfera doméstica descontextualizou e ocultou a produção de conhecimento nesses espaços, fazendo que as contribuições femininas fossem invisibilizadas e não reconhecidas. Analisamos quatro dinâmicas comportamentais desse conhecimento (conservação, erosão, inovação e transformação), em relação à influência do sistema sexo/gênero na produção e valorização social desse conhecimento. Por fim, tendo em vista que esses grupos de mulheres comercializam plantas e produtos medicinais, refletimos sobre a transição desse saber para a esfera comercial, suas consequências, as possíveis mudanças e os efeitos na valorização social desse saber.
RESUMEN
En este artículo analizamos el proceso de producción social de conocimiento sobre el uso de plantas medicinales en tres grupos de mujeres rurales que recolectan y venden plantas en el departamento de Canelones, Uruguay. El estudio parte de la hipótesis que al asociar estas prácticas al ámbito doméstico, se descontextualizó y ocultó la producción de saberes en estos espacios, invisibilizando y no reconociendo los aportes femeninos. Analizamos cuatro dinámicas de comportamiento de este conocimiento (conservación, erosión, innovación y transformación) en relación con la influencia del sistema sexo/género en la producción y valorización social de este conocimiento. Finalmente, considerando que estos grupos de mujeres venden plantas y productos medicinales, reflexionamos sobre la transición de este conocimiento a la esfera comercial, sus consecuencias, los posibles cambios y efectos en la valorización social de este conocimiento.
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PALABRAS CLAVE:
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the women protagonists of this work who opened the doors of their homes, properties, and memories to us. Also, I express my gratitude to the Universidad de la República, whose different support mechanisms have allowed us to carry out this project with the dedication it deserves.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 It is worth clarifying that, although these are processes associated with women’s health, not all women go through them.
2 According to Llanes (Citation2001) the body is originated, shaped, and traversed by a network of discourses and social, cultural, economic, political representations, and is a reference of identity. Williams (Citation2002) argues that, as a referent of identity, the body is gendered and that the anatomical differences between men and women are the central axis of the social order of gender, the notion of the body being essential in the construction of the meanings of masculinity and femininity.
3 The nature/culture opposition as an epistemological proposal, although widespread, especially in Western societies, is not universal. This discussion can be resumed in Ortner (Citation1979).
4 Canelones is located in the south of Uruguay and borders Montevideo (the capital of Uruguay). The area is characterized by the predominance of horticulture, fruit growing, and wine production.
5 The origin of the Calmañana cooperative dates back to the 1980s, when after a long process of grouping, reflection and consolidation, a group of women developed a project to grow aromatic herbs, some of which were unknown in the market at the time. Currently, the cooperative produces about forty varieties of aromatic herbs, packing them both fresh and dried. It also produces medicinal herbs and in recent years has extended its production to other more traditional crops, such as tomatoes and wheat. The crops are all grown organically and sales are focused on the domestic market, the main marketing channel being the large supermarket chains in Montevideo.
6 To learn more about the plants and their identified uses, see: Pereyra (Citation2021).
7 Botica del Señor S.R.L is a company dedicated to the commercialization of medicinal herbs, phytomedicines, lotions, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements, complying with all the requirements applicable to the activity.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Valentina Pereyra Ceretta
Valentina Pereyra Ceretta is a sociologist, working in the Sociology Department of the Faculty of Social Sciences (Universidad de la Republica) in the areas of environment, rurality, human-animal relations and conservation.
Juan Martin Dabezies
Juan Martin Dabezies is an anthropologist, professor at the University of the Republic and researcher of the National System of Researchers, Uruguay. He is currently working on the issue of sport / recreational hunting in western societies, linked to nature conservation and biosecurity.