Um patrimônio alimentar valorizado turisticamente: a mandioca nos roteiros da Operadora de Turismo Estação Gabiraba

Abstract

Cassava is planted and consumed in different ways throughout Brazil, even before this territory received its name, since the plant was already part of the natives’ diet. Based on cassava, beijus, flours, fermented drinks and many other products and dishes are prepared, and all of them also serve as inspiration for songs, dances and tales. There are many knowledges, activities, materialities and immaterialities related to this root. The aims of this study are to state cassava as a Brazilian food heritage and to show, through the Estação Gabiraba Tour Operator experience, that tourism can contribute to its appreciation and preservation, as well as to the development of local communities that receive tourists. Methodologically, this is an exploratory and qualitative study that used bibliographic and documentary research combined to structured interviews to accomplish its objective. Cassava was noticed as a food heritage, and tourism is one vector for appreciating this heritage and promoting local development.