This article analyses some aspects of the use of collective memory by social groups (in this case rural workers who stem from the settlements of Encruzilhada Natalino and Fazenda Annoni, in the center and northern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul) in order to redefine and/or strengthen their identity as landless people, and to face current challenges and conflicts. It intends to show the collective memories construction/reconstruction processes by means of rituals which are meant to strengthen identities and to maintain the mystic and the struggle of the landless, even if this is not their condition any more. It is a discussion and analysis of the role of collective memory, social representations, patrimonial culture, aggregating rituals, socialization processes, and crossed temporalities.
memory; imaginary; social representations; landless