Equedes na literatura acadêmica brasileira: a força da ancestralidade feminina no Ilê Axé Oyá Tolá

Abstract

The dissertation “Equedes in Brazilian Academic Literature: The Strength of Female Ancestrality in Ilê Axé Oyá Tolá” addresses the invisibility and limited representation of women occupying specific roles in Candomblé—such as equedes, ajoiês, iarobás, and makotas—within Brazilian academic literature. Historically, studies have focused on the figure of the Iyalorixá, neglecting other forms of female protagonism essential to the daily life and ritual continuity of Afro-Brazilian religious communities. This research seeks to fill this gap by analyzing how these roles are portrayed in classical and contemporary works and by confronting these representations with the lived experiences of equedes in the Ilê Axé Oyá Tolá terreiro, located in Candeias, Bahia. The study adopts a qualitative, phenomenological approach, combining theoretical contributions from anthropology, history, gender studies, and religious studies. Methodologically, it integrates participant observation, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and autoethnography, considering the researcher’s dual position as equede and investigator. Additionally, a systematic literature review was conducted using the ProKnow-C method, which enabled the construction of a bibliographic portfólio. Searches were carried out between September 2023 and January 2024 in databases such as Google Scholar, CAPES, BDTD, and SciELO, using keywords related to the research objectives. Of the 90 initial publications identified, only eight were directly related to the topic, complemented by seminal works absent from the databases. Results reveal that classical literature tends to reduce equedes to auxiliary roles associated with domestic tasks, disregarding their sacerdotal and political dimensions. In contrast, recent publications and field data highlight the centrality of these women in maintaining liturgy, organizing community life, and transmitting ancestral knowledge. Equedes emerge as spiritual and social pillars, responsible for coordinating rituals, managing resources, and ensuring the continuity of religious practices. By integrating theory and practice, this study contributes to the recognition of female ancestral knowledge and expands interpretative horizons on Candomblé as a dynamic, plural, and resilient practice.