Apontamentos sobre homossexualidades indígenas masculinas em Alagoas

Abstract

The present investigation has as general objective to contribute to the reflection about the understanding of male indigenous people from Alagoas about “male indigenous homosexualities”. The indigenous subjects investigated in the aforementioned Federation Unit belong to the Tingui Botó (Feira Grande and Campo Grande), Xucuru-Kariri (Palmeira dos Índios) and Jeripancó (Pariconha) ethnic groups. This selection of ethnic groups stems, in part, from difficulties in finding anyone willing to participate in the research. The specific objectives are: to present elements about the naturalized experience of homosexualities in precolonial Brazil, to reflect on the role of the Catholic Church in imposing heterosexuality in the Brazilian territory, to analyze the Westernized understanding of the male gender, to bring out some understandings about male indigenous homosexualities in some ethnic groups in Brazil and make notes on the understandings of male indigenous subjects from selected Alagoas ethnic groups about male indigenous homosexualities. This investigation is an exploratory research, having as its starting point a literature review on the subject, and field research, consisting of interviews, conducted by the following social networks and applications: Instagram, Facebook, Google Meet and WhatsApp. As for the approach, this research is qualitative, through theoretical discussion and presentation of points of view of indigenous interlocutors, as well as reflection on these points. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the interviews were carried out remotely, which even made it possible to reach indigenous peoples located in geographically distant places, which would not be feasible in person. As for the speeches of indigenous peoples from Alagoas, in general, it can be said that, in their villages, there is prejudice and discrimination against homosexuals. However, the interviewees naturalized homosexuality, although there were also statements that suggest a contradiction to this naturalization. Regarding the hypothesis that "Indigenous people in Alagoas see homosexuality as a cultural loss", all those investigated stated that they recognize homosexuality as something intrinsic to human beings. However, some stated that, culturally, homosexuality is not made visible in the community Regarding the hypothesis that "Indigenous people in Alagoas see male homosexuality as a gender transgression", none of the interviewees confirmed it. However, there were those who stated that male homosexuals are targets who tend to experience more exposed violence due to their gender.