Crueira de mandioca: tradições, inovações e tensões geracionais no Sítio Coqueiro, Itapipoca - CE

Abstract

This research investigates the ways in which crueira, a cassava by-product, is used in the community of Sítio Coqueiro, Ceará. It analyzes the tensions between traditional practices and innovations introduced by a cassava processing project started in 2022, in partnership with the Laboratory for Creation in Food Culture and Social Gastronomy (EGSIDB). Using an ethnographic approach and 27 semi-structured interviews with residents involved in the project, the study explores the meanings attributed to the crueira over time, its historical uses and the new possibilities for food use. The project reveals different perspectives: while some associate crueira with memories of hunger and poverty, opting for food alternatives considered more practical, others highlight its potential for reframing and enhancing the value of the product. Intergenerational tensions emerge, with young people defending technologies and innovations, while older people resist, prioritizing the preservation of traditional practices. This intergenerational dynamic highlights challenges and opportunities for cultural preservation and food innovation.