Ana María Troncoso
ana_maria_troncoso@hotmail.com
Universidad nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB)
Trelew-Argentina

Mariela Flores Torres
marielaflorestorres@gmail.com
Universidad nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB)
Trelew-Argentina

Abstract:

We aim to work with some particular concepts of post-colonial criticism so as to try to interpretate and elucidate potential agencies in subjects targetted by what we will call the “civilizing project” led by Argentinian state at Central Plateau in northern Chubut province. During the period we intend to analyse (1930-1970), families living at Chubut Plateau were exposed to an important dynamics concerning means of life (specially land), as a consequence of market developing and state’s growing presence. For this work we have relied mainly on oral narratives, official documents and published biographies, which suggest substantial changes in family constitution, specially on kingfolk structuring and family and community relations features. Oral data gathering allowed us building family histories with a bent towards reinterpretation delivered by memory, with negotiations and revaluations of lived and experienced events, which leaves exposed the working of rationalities, versatile strategies and resignifications in this dynamic context, to be observed in intergenerational weaving. Through narratives, communities, kinsfolk, families and individuals can be historized, thus scaping to the fascination produced by official sources or their derivatives coming from controlling sectors or servile ones, whose inertia against a teleological approach involves discarding issues and challenges resembling inferior or overcome stages, which leaves these dwellers out, by making stereotypes of them, and leaving a gap in History.

Keywords: Resistance, dominance, post-colonial criticism, subalternity, “civilizing projec”, diversity.