Cosmovisões e redes de saberes: um estudo sobre a atuação política da cacica Marlúcia Ribeiro Apinagé

Abstract

In the contemporary Brazilian political scenario, indigenous women haveconquered spaces of power both in formal institutions — such as the Chamber Federal and ministries — as well as in traditional functions, such as the chiefdom in their villages. This study, carried out in partnership with the chief Marlúcia (Nhánhôk), leader of the Apinajé people (Tocantins), searches understand, from your perspective, how ancestry guides political, territorial, educational and health practices in different contexts. The research adopted a decolonial ethnography as a method, privileging thedirect learning with the chief and her worldview, anchored in the relationshipbody-territory-collectivity. The experiences in the villages of Barra do Dia, São José andSilver revealed the protagonism and resistance of Apinajé women, whosubvert colonial structures by occupying positions of traditional andinstitutional functions. The results demonstrate that, in reality, Apinajé,social prestige and kinship relationships are fundamental to boostwomen to assume positions of power, articulating ancestral knowledge with contemporary and ethnic-specific demands. This dynamic not only strengthens indigenous autonomy, but also consolidates new forms of political action, challenging gender hierarchies and reaffirming the centrality of ancestry in the fight for rights