Estuda o cooperativismo em cabo verde, a partir do conhecimento pratico do cooperador sobre sua cooperativa e analisando-o sob a ótica das representações sociais. A amostra e composta por 15 ss, da zona rural da ilha de santiago, associados as cooperativas de consumo e de produção (agricultura, reflorestamento, pesca e carpintaria/marcenaria) que submete a entrevistas semi-abertas neste estudo de campo. Analisa os depoimentos obtidos, a partir da definição oficial do conceito de cooperativa em cabo verde destacando suas características de instrumento de participação popular, que estimula a mudança social e o desenvolvimento socio-economico, conforme a perspectiva politico-ideológica do estado. Conclui que este conceito se fundamenta no conhecimento pratico dos cooperadores, identificando-o a conteúdos associados aos temas da sobrevivência, da propriedade privada e do trabalho. A participação na cooperativa esta apoiada nas permanências culturais que asseguram a proteção das identidades sociais e permitem a familiaridade e o controle subjetivo da pratica social. Aponta que o aprimoramento do processo de construção de uma pratica cooperativista original pressupõe: a consideração das diferenças entre a concepção oficial e ideológica de cooperativa; as representações sociais que dela tem os cooperadores; e que o estado, assuma o papel de coordenador das iniciativas dos camponeses

The aim of this work is to provide a contribution for the study of the system based on cooperatives in Cabo Verde, taking as reference the common sense knowledge of the cooperator in relation to this own cooperative. Such knowledge has been analyzed based on social representation. As field survey, interviews with cooperators, members of both consumers and producers cooperatives (agriculture, reforestation, fishing, carpentry/ joinery) have been conducted in the rural area of Santiago' island. We have used as material for analysis statements obtained through semi­ studied interviews. We have considered the official definition of the cooperative in Cabo Verde, wich enhances this characteristic of being a tool for popular participation towards the promotion of the social change and of the social and economical development according to the political- ideological perceptive of the State. We have come to the conclusion that the concept of cooperative wich is based on the common sense knowledge of the cooperators refers to objects identified as: shop, field, boat and carpentery. As part of the nucleus of the representation, we have identified contents pertaining to the themes of survival, private property and work. The participation in the cooperatives stands on the cultural foundations which ensure the protection of social identity and allow the familiarity and the subjective control of the social practice. The improvement of the process for the construction of an original practice whithin the cooperative requires that the differences between the official and ideological conceptin of cooperative and the social that the cooperators have of it are considered, and that the State, rather than being the authority, adopts the role of the coordinator for the peasants' iniciatives