PROJECT

The Racialities and Identities in Focus project is an initiative by Redes da Maré aimed at valuing Black histories, cultures, and identities within the territory. Aligned with Law 10.639, which establishes the mandatory teaching of African and Afro-Brazilian history and culture in educational institutions, the project reaffirms Redes da Maré's commitment to quality, equitable, and anti-racist education.

With a focus on critical education and strengthening local identities, the project seeks to expand the debate on race relations in Brazil by promoting an environment of listening, learning, and social transformation.

OBJECTIVES

Strengthen the identity and self-esteem of Maré residents.
Recover and value the memories and narratives of the territory.
Expand knowledge on topics such as identity, memory, and race relations.

EDUCATION, IDENTITY, AND EQUITY

The Maré set of favelas is a true cultural melting pot, home to a predominantly Black population (62.1% Black and mixed-race residents, according to the Maré Census). In addition, thousands of people migrated from Brazil's Northeast, alongside a significant Indigenous presence.

This blend of diverse identities gives Maré great potential for implementing initiatives aimed at reshaping race relations, paving the way for affirmative actions and the appreciation of the territory's multiple identities.

The project offers in-depth courses on racial and identity relations, aiming to promote equity and social accessibility for residents of Maré and the city of Rio de Janeiro.

MAIN ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

#Paths of Maré

Immersive field classes introducing participants to historical and cultural landmarks throughout the Maré complex of favelas. The route highlights the Black, Indigenous, Northeastern, and Northern identities present in the territory, showing how these populations migrated, settled, and transformed Maré over time. The experience integrates memory, territorial identity, and political context, promoting a broader understanding of Maré's sociocultural formation.

#Quilombism Course

A training program based on the thought of Abdias do Nascimento and its intersections with Black movements throughout history up to the present day. The course aims to foster in-depth discussions on identities, racialities, and Black political projects focused on well-being, promoting a contemporary debate through theoretical and practical classes.

#Talking About Art and Culture, Memory, and Identity in Maré

This course offers an in-depth exploration of art, culture, memory, and identity, bringing to light the experience of urban peripheries and the connections between the Maré complex of favelas and the city of Rio de Janeiro. The activity is designed for the training and professional development of practitioners in the field, encouraging critical reflection grounded in the territory.

#Ancestral Knowledge Exchange Workshops

Meetings with masters of diverse forms of knowledge, guided by racial themes, bringing together Maré's earliest residents, who keep the territory's memory alive and helped build the cultural identity of its 15 favelas.

#Teresa de Benguela Seminar

Over two days, the seminar explores the contributions of Black women to Brazilian society, highlighting their role as leaders in peripheral territories. The free program, held in honor of Teresa de Benguela, leader of the Quilombo do Piolho, includes community mobilization, discussion circles, film screenings and debates, writing activities, and storytelling.