"É antes ou depois da corrente?": os postos fiscais de Natal e suas representações a partir da memória

Abstract

The memories of the population of Natal reveal important aspects about the chains that marked the completion of its urban area and promoted fiscal control, as well as access to rural areas and other municipalities. Additionally, they indicate the possible impact these had on the daily lives of people and institutions in the mid-20th century. This study aims to understand the influence of Natal's fiscal posts in the development of a collective memory, from both material and subjective aspects, contributing to discussions on subjectivity in the study of the city's history. To achieve this, the research uses oral sources, primary sources, and textual sources as the main data collection tools, employing a qualitative approach. The narratives and accounts, obtained through interviews, and historical documents are systematized and analyzed to identify the representations and meanings attributed to the fiscal posts over time. The results indicate that the historical and social functions of Natal's "gates" can be partially recovered through the collective memory of those who experienced them. Collective memory and individual recollections contribute to a broader understanding of the meaning and transformations of urban boundaries and domains, allowing for a more comprehensive reflection on the subjectivity present in the study of the city's history. Furthermore, it raises relevant discussions about the relationship between history, subjectivity, memory, and urban space.