QUILOMBOLA CERAMICS

MEMORY, IDENTITY, AND RESISTANCE

Authors

Keywords:

ceramics, memory, identity, quilombola women, Itamatatiua

Abstract

The Quilombola community of Itamatatiua, located in the municipality of Alcântara, Maranhão, stands out for the preservation of traditional cultural practices, including the artisanal production of ceramics. Developed by women, this activity is not only an economic activity but also an important element in preserving collective memory and affirming Quilombola cultural identity. In this context, this study aims to understand how ceramic production in the Quilombola community of Itamatatiua is configured as an element of preserving collective memory and affirming cultural identity. The research has a qualitative approach, using participant observation and a focus group with women ceramicists from the community's Ceramic Production Center as methodological procedures. During this research, a catalog of local ceramic production was created, containing photographic records and descriptions of pieces produced by the artisans. The results showed that the ceramic production process involves knowledge transmitted intergenerationally, especially within the family, strengthening community ties and ensuring the continuity of ancestral cultural practices. The artisans' narratives also revealed that ceramic making represents an important mechanism for preserving social memory and valuing Quilombola identity. The final considerations indicate that ceramics in Itamatatiua transcend their material dimension, constituting a cultural heritage and a space of resistance, memory, and collective identity.

Author Biographies

  • Amália Tereza Lima da Guia, Instituto Federal do Maranhão

    Mestra em Biblioteconomia pela Universidade Federal do Cariri (2026). Graduada em Biblioteconomia pela Universidade Federal do Maranhão (2007). Especialização em Docência e Pesquisa no Ensino Superior pela Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais Aplicadas (2010). Atualmente é bibliotecária do Instituto Federal do Maranhão. Tem experiência nas áreas de leitura e formação de leitores e normalização de trabalhos acadêmicos.

  • Leyde Klebia Rodrigues da Silva, Federal University of Bahia, Universidade Federal do Cariri

    Adjunct Professor at the Department of Documentation and Information, Institute of Information Science, Federal University of Bahia (DDI/ICI/UFBA), Brazil. Collaborating Professor in the Graduate Program in Library and Information Science (PPGB) at the Federal University of Cariri (UFCA), Brazil. Holds a Ph.D. in Information Science from the Graduate Program in Information Science jointly offered by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (IBICT). Holds a Master’s degree in Information Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB).

    Research interests include: Foundations and Epistemologies of Information Science and Library and Information Science; Epistemicide and Memoricide in Information Science and related fields; Postcoloniality, Decoloniality, Anticoloniality, and Countercoloniality in Information Science and related disciplines; Black Women in Information Science and related fields; Memory and Society; Sociology of Information; Ethnic-Racial and Gender Studies in informational contexts; Knowledge Production; Dissemination, Use, and Appropriation of Information; and Web Information Sources.

    She is a member of the Center for Studies and Research on Information, Education, and Ethnic-Racial Relations (NEPIERE); the Research Group Integrating Competencies, Building Knowledge, Training Scientists (GEINCOS); the Ecce Liber Research Group: Language, Philosophy, and Knowledge; and the Research and Study Group on Information Mediation and Communication (GEPEMCI).

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Published

2026-11-13

Conference Proceedings Volume

2026: XXVI ENCONTRO NACIONAL DE PESQUISA E PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM CIÊNCIA DA INFORMAÇÃO

Section

GT 10 – Informação e Memória

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