Visual essay ‘Erveiras do mercadáo de Madureira

Abstract

Herbs are well-known and used throughout human history. For example, many people keep the famous Sword of Saint George at home, a plant used to protect against bad energies. Or rue, used for luck. Spices such as basil and rosemary are widely used in Brazilian cuisine. Within the world of herbs, those who play a fundamental role are the erveiras, women who care for and market them. They are transmitters of information and knowledge, whether for religious or medicinal purposes, which are passed down from generation to generation. Their stories are written with great struggle and resilience. One example is the biography of Dona Rosa, a 69-year-old Portuguese woman who began working at the Madureira Market in 1968. Two of her daughters, Luiza and Beth, also work there. The herbal tents are always crowded meeting places. The herbs pass through several paths until they reach the Madureira Market. Sometimes they come from family jobs, where a relative takes care of the garden. Some of them (herveiras) work on weekends in their gardens. In other cases, they bring plants (roses) from other places, such as CEASA (Rio de Janeiro State Supply Center). These photographs were taken at the Mercadão de Madureira, a traditional trading place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is important to note that one of the most sought-after parts of this market is the herb market, also known as the Mercadão das Ervas.