The territoriality of the street circus at Baixada Santista, Brazil

Abstract

The article present the path and results obtained from the development of a master's degree research in Geography, which describes and interprets data related to the organization, distribution and dynamics of the street circus. As a methodological assumption, we assume that proximity and prolonged contact with the group interfere in the formation of the identity of the person researching and also in the results obtained. In this way, we discuss the issue of identity and its importance for geographic science. We detail the main methodological procedures adopted during the research, such as participant observation, exploratory journeys and semi-structured interviews. Finally, we present the results such as strategies for choosing locations for presentations and activities, the factors that interfere in this process and we also describe and interpret parts of street performances that have the potential for social transformation, especially in relation to stereotypes and prejudices of gender.