Os Intelectuais alagoanos e o Quebra de Xangô de 1912: uma história de silêncios (1930-1950)

Abstract

The present work aims to offer a historical interpretation of the influence of Alagoas’ scholars in the so called “silencing” process of 1912’s “Quebra de Xango”, registered in the state’s history. In order to attain such goal aspects such as the state’s educational system as well as debates regarding the national identity were taken into consideration. A time frame that ranges from the 1930’s to the 1950’s was selected, considering the massive academic production of contents regarding afro Brazilian culture throughout the above-mentioned period. As representatives of such a generation, scholars Artur Ramos, Alfredo Brandao and Abelardo Duarte were selected to have their work analyzed. Respectively: “O Folk-lore negro do Brasil” (1935); “Os negros na história de Alagoas” (1934); “Sobrevivências do culto da serpente (DÃHN-GBI) nas Alagoas” (1950); “Sobre o panteão afro-brasileiro (Divindades africanas nas Alagoas)” (1950). The hypothesis purposed in the present work intends to argue that the “silencing”, as a discursive practice is strongly related to the process of subjugation and marginalization of the black community in Alagoas’ history. Under a social practice optics, it would be related to mechanisms of exclusion of such racial group. The path to the development of such questions is based upon content analysis and the identification of patterns that express the positioning of the aforementioned authors on studies regarding the black community as a whole. Through such method an interpretative study of the work was conducted, allowing an approach to the objective reality in the context of such productions.