"Saia do sol, galego" : o fenômeno do albinismo no Quilombo Filú em Alagoas

Abstract

This dissertation is an ethnography on Filu, officially certified as maroon group since 2005, with a population of 42 families of approximately 200 inhabitants. It is geographically located in Água Fria village, municipality of Santana do Mundaú – in the state of Alagoas. In this setting, my attention focused mainly on the fact of a high rate of albinism among them. This phenomenon , considered pathological by Western medicine has become, over the recent years, a distinguishing feature in the construction of their identity as quilombola population. Thus, it is a study that takes into account mainly the understanding on how albinism among Filu is perceived by themselves. It is also focused on how albinism is defined by the health care system and by the Western medicine. These data complement the objective of this work. The main focus therefore is to observe the social factors that are related to this phenomenon of albinism and how different actors observe and act in various settings. I also seek to understand, through the bond of solidarity and analysis of their speeches , how these interlocutors affirm their quilombola identity and how albinism becomes a border demarcation mechanism among the Filu.