Haitian Territorialities in Cuiabá - MT

Abstract

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti resulted in a massive migratory flow of Haitians to Brazil, motivated by the search for better living conditions. Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso, stands out as a destination for many migrants, due to the job opportunities generated by the construction of the 2014 World Cup. This article analyzes Haitian territorialities in Cuiabá, with an emphasis on housing, the labor market, sociability, and cultural identity. Using a qualitative approach, using the historical-dialectical materialist method, it is based on semi-structured interviews and socio-spatial analyses. The study provides evidence of how Haitians, despite language barriers and social vulnerability, build new support networks. Community associations and religious groups play a central role in the process of reterritorialization, facilitating cultural integration and strengthening identity. It was in the outlying neighborhoods that Haitians created spaces for coexistence and sociability, but they continue to face significant difficulties, such as discrimination, precarious insertion in the job market and the absence of adequate public policies. The research concluded that Haitian immigration in Cuiabá is marked by a complex process of adaptation, resilience, and urban transformation. The results highlight the need for inclusive public policies that promote equity and guarantee dignified conditions for this population, contributing to a more just and supportive social integration.