This article explores the interplay between memory and environment through the narratives of two women from Bento Rodrigues, countryside of Brazil, whose lives were changed by the collapse of an ore tailings dam in 2015. The disaster caused ecological and social upheaval in their community. Through interviews conducted in both the devastated landscape of their hometown and the urban spaces they now inhabit, the women’s narratives highlight how places become vessels of memory, even in their ravaged shapes. This article examines the duality of their experiences, reminiscing about the past with joy and sorrow. In addition, it highlights how occupying territories and narrating memories helps individuals cope with loss and regain a sense of control over their own lives. Finally, the article contributes to a broader understanding of how memory and destroyed environment intersect, shedding light on the complexities of identity formation in contexts marked by crisis.
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