A Sala de Aula como um Espaço que Constitui a Identidade Gaúcha

Abstract

This paper presents a reflection about the construction of the Gaucho identity and about the importance of the school as a unique space where certain identitary concepts are learnt. I understand that, although these concepts are present throughout children’s school life, it is in the initial years of primary education that they are privileged. Considering that social and cultural identity is determined through the struggles of different groups to impose certain meanings, I analyse, from a non-essentialist perspective of identity, how the hegemonic representation of “being Gaucho” was formed based on the figure of the mythical Gaucho and then I proceed to a discuss the role of the school as a privileged space in the construction of that hegemonic Gaucho identity.