Arte indígena xakriabá: com um pé na aldeia e outro pé no mundo

Abstract

Indigenous arts are cultural manifestations that play an active and, in some case, “useful” role in the daily life of the villages. They comprise the utensils in which we serve our food, the body painting that protects us against agents of destruction, and the songs that strengthen us and connect us with our ancestors. The research on which this dissertation is based investigates, in particular, traditional Xakriabá ceramics, associating it with the ceramics of other indigenous peoples, as well as with the research of contemporary artists in the art-gallery sphere, in order to develop methodological approaches for middle school students of the Xukurank Indigenous School in the Barreiro Preto village. Based on the research carried out with older Xakriabá ceramicists in the Intercultural Training course for Indigenous Educators (FIEI/FaE/UFMG) from 2006 to 2011, it was possible to begin producing ceramic objects in a renewed way, in accordance with the techniques learnt and the format of the products. In the research and the Masters, it was possible to explore new possibilities in the light of both Xakriabá tradition and contemporaneity. Principles were elaborated for didactic material for the teaching/learning of contemporary Indigenous Art for indigenous and non-indigenous schools. Consideration was given not only to how textbooks present indigenous people to society, locating the contribution of indigenous arts only in the past, but also to the relationship between the non-indigenous contemporary art system and indigenous art in the past and in the present. The research highlighted that the indigenous artistic universe is very present nowadays and that it is part of the contemporary art collection and should therefore be better studied and disseminated, so that it is known, respected and valued, regardless of being indigenous or non-indigenous. The research also highlights the artivist role of indigenous arts, which is not disconnected from the politics of resistance and always forms part of our struggles.