The social formation of the indigenous quilombo Tiririca dos Crioulos:

contributions to the study of resistance and decolonial struggles

Abstract

This paper aims to present, from the ethnographic description, the historical and political process of constitution of a rural black community, the Tiririca dos Crioulos, which self-identifies as an 'indigenous quilombo', in the “sertão” of São Francisco in Pernambuco State (Northeast Brazil). From a legal point of view, the 1988 Constitution recognizes indigenous and quilombola identity as categories of subjects with distinguishing rights. However, empirical reality shows that the forms of resistance facing the coloniality of power, as proposed by Aníbal Quijano, are much broader and more complex; it results in heterodoxies that challenge the Brazilian colonial state, and confront local powers. Thinking indigenous quilombos as a local category of resistance implies questioning colonial legal-political categories and unfolds the State's challenges to formulate public policies, including territorial recognition. From this specific case, based on Frantz Fanon and decolonial theories (Arturo Escobar; Rita Segato; Walter Mignolo), the text aims to contribute to the anthropological debate about the most varied forms of resistance. Moreover, they are supported by the historical plurality and the shared struggle for the defense of the territory.

ARK CAICYT: https://id.caicyt.gov.ar/ark:/s16688090/oj7ek0dt0