O lugar de fala das mestras: espaços de experiência social, temporal, simbólica e de resistência artística

Abstract

The present study investigates the protagonism of women who occupy the role of masters of Afrodiasporic Popular Dances, emphasizing their place of speech, understood here as the awareness of the role of women in their struggles and agendas within the social debate. This research aims at discussing gender relations in the context of popular culture, starting from the questioning of the reduced number of masters in folguedos and other popular cultural manifestations in the field of dance and the feminist provocations proposed by the interlocutor masters, Janja, precursor of Angoleiro feminism, and Mestra Joana, precursor of feminism in Maracatu do Baque Virado. The theoretical and methodological referential of the research is based on ethnographic studies and netnography, aiming to cover the exploratory nature of the research. The proposed studies are based on the epistemologies of Popular Culture, understood as a space of production of knowledge and actions of the popular classes in Brazil, composed mostly by a black population. The gender relations presented in this research are conducted from the perspective of Black feminism, recognizing the interconnections between race, class, gender, thus, the present study embraces intersectional studies. It is hoped with this research to foster the debate in favor of women's participation in the candidacy for the post of master, and to emphasize their contribution in cultural activism, aiming to diminish the effects of the lack or non-management of public policies in the cultural sector and other social areas. Highlighting the role of women as masters in this struggle is extremely relevant, due to the legacy that will be passed on to future generations.