Pelas mãos das Ekedis e Makotas: o poder matriarcal nos processos educacionais nos candomblés

Abstract

The present work investigates how the Ekedis and Makotas, an exclusively female position in the Ketu and Angola Candomblés, respectively, relate to their terreiros communities, how they fit into the hierarchical and traditional structures of these communities and how this relationship helps us to reflect about the feminine in society, and can also help us in critical reflection on education. The reasons why this investigation is proposed are echoed in the construction of an anti-racist and anti-sexist educational proposal, which can help in the construction of a plural and respectful education with sociocultural diversities. It is born from Studies with Children from Terreiros (CAPUTO, 2012), dialogues with Childhood Studies from its historiography and with the Sociology of Childhood. The studies that support the theoretical framework are the Afro-centered philosophical knowledges, which are concerned with the studying the place and concept of women in society. Among the authors and concepts used as a basic theoretical framework, the following stand out: Cleonora Hudson-Weems (2021) with African Womanism and Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí (2021) with studies on the construction of the gender concept in Africa. As a methodology, the narratives of different women occupying the position obtained through conversations and interviews were used, thus favoring the analytical category of Oral History and Memory by Conceição Evaristo (2017, 2020), Amadou Hampâté Bâ (2010) and Maurice Halbwachs (2006). The results found point to the need for new constructions of educational and school paradigms that take into account the importance of affection and care, fundamental aspects of an Ekedi position, characterized in the binomial care and education.