A GUERRA DE ESPADAS EM CRUZ DAS ALMAS (BA) - (1980-2016)

Abstract

In this work, we have as object the Guerra de Espadas in Cruz das Almas town, state of Bahia, in the period of 1980s to 2016s. The constructions of BR 101 and the Pedra do Cavalo barrage allowed, from the 1980s, greater integration among neighboring towns and contributed to people with different socioeconomic profiles were to live in Cruz das Almas. With these changes, the Guerra de Espadas experienced an increase of espadeiros. Centenarian manifestation, it became crime since 2011 and then the disputes became intense. In the context of illegality, the agents linked to the State started “hunting” heavily the espadeiros in the entire town. On the other hand, multiple forms of resistances have been permanents against the law. Therefore, we seek to understand the violence practices and the power relations in the Guerra de Espadas and what makes it, more and more, object of disputes among the most diverse subjects in Cruz das Almas.