Abstract
This article presents an interpretation of the 19th rural society of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. The relationships between persons and land form the basis for this interpretation, in which land is understood as material culture. Political and economical changes in the ranch context of Rio Grande do Sul contributed to give land different meanings, and its value as a gift or as a commodity acted as a reference for social positions. Taking into account the concepts of alienability and inalienability of material culture this article offers an interpretation of the land as an important component in the process of identity formation of Rio Grande do Sul rural society.
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