A serra é meu refúgio: uma etnografia sobre o uso de casas de campo em Lagoa Nova/RN/Brasil

Abstract

This study reflects the cultural and symbolic dimension of second homes (cottages, sites and farms) in rural areas. Here we analyze how the social construction of landscape contributes to the inclusion of second home users in the municipality of Lagoa Nova, RN-Brazil. Our proposed research seeks to understand how these subjects of the urban middle classes who live in large and midsized cities experience recreational experiences during the weekends and holidays in the mountains. To understand the social relationships present in this universe, open interviews were conducted and half structured that enabled us to greater freedom and a look more detailed on the issues during the fieldwork. So, at first we prepared an ethnographic description of the "Mountain" (Sierra), with its physical and climatic characteristics in order to include the reader in space research. Then we reveal who the cottages users in the city, its projects and trajectories, analyze their recreation experiences and the reasons given for the construction of the cottage. Finally, we believe that the inclusion of these new subjects and construction of high architectural standard buildings home in rural areas of Lagoa Nova has culminated in a process of "ennoblement" (gentrification) of these areas by promoting a restructuring of rural areas, which come passing a set of materials and cultural changes and symbolic.