Ensino de História, memória e identidade quilombola na Escola Professor Luiz Alberto de Melo - Arapiraca/AL

Abstract

This research aims to understand the processes that have permeated and continue to permeate the identity formation of the quilombo remnants of the community of Vila Pau d’Arco, in Arapiraca, AL, through available academic-scientific production and knowledge produced by the community; and to develop didactic-pedagogical material for History Education directed at Professor Luiz Alberto de Melo School. As specific objectives, we aim to: Identify the historical, cultural, economic, and social roots of Vila Pau d’Arco, historicizing its formation and development process until the year 2023; Contribute to the identity strengthening of the children and adolescents of Vila Pau d’Arco as quilombo remnants, enhancing their self-esteem to value their quilombola ancestry; Discuss and confront the problem of racism and other forms of prejudice as current issues and threats to a democratic society; Produce didactic-pedagogical material, in the form of a Memory Book, for History Education, with the intention of being implemented as supplementary material in the final years of Elementary School at Professor Luiz Alberto de Melo School and serving as a model for other institutions in Brazil and worldwide. The methodology consists of a qualitative-quantitative ethnographic approach through participant observation. Work procedures include interviews, bibliographic research, document analysis, and field notes. Through our engagement with the school and readings, we joined the project "Building Afrodescendant Identity," aiming to enable the redefinition of the concept of quilombo and an identification with the history of their quilombola predecessors since many children and youth, students at Professor Luiz Alberto de Melo School, do not associate the place where they live with an Afrodescendant origin. The result of the work was the memory book "Pau d'Arco: Memory and History." The goal is for this work to help elevate the community as a place for the preservation, renewal, and reinterpretation of traditional knowledge and practices, reflecting the quilombola identity, as well as equipping future teachers and students of the school, as well as the community, with knowledge about it, thus being better prepared to address the theme with students and providing them with knowledge about their own collective history.