Salve as folhas: pensando a natureza e conservação a partir de conhecimentos de matriz africana e afro-brasileiros

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the potential of afro-brazilian knowledge derived from african-based religion, specifically Candomblé, in the teaching of science and biology. Despite the twenty years of the Law n. 10.639/03, that mandates the teaching of Afro-Brazilian history and culture in schools, there are still few projects and initiatives that effectively implement it. However, many aspects of Afro-Brazilian culture remain to be explored in the educational sphere, such as Candomblé, a religion often attacked and stigmatized. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to identify potential traditional knowledge indicated by Candomblé practitioners, through thematic textual analysis of the interviewees' statements, that could be included in the natural sciences curriculum. Additionally, through interviews with adherents of the religion, the study sought to analyze a created didactic sequence and to understand, from their conceptions: what is nature for Candomblé? Which of these forms of knowledge marginalized by Eurocentric scientific knowledge could be incorporated into the school curriculum? Among the results found, we highlight that there is not a single conception of what nature is, given that Candomblé is an essentially oral religion, with its knowledge and wisdom passed down from generation to generation, gaining our senses and interpretations. Finally, among the knowledge listed to be incorporated into the classroom are the use of plants, traditional foods, dances and songs, gender, sexuality, environmental education, among others.