Pluriversity Abya Yala’s Anticolonial Cuia in Aracaju

The International Seminar Women of Abya Yala: from Xokó Clay to Pataxó-Pankararu (Re)Existence was held from February 12 to 15, 2025, at the Centro de Cultura e Arte (Cultart) of the Federal University of Sergipe and at Colégio Estadual Dom José Brandão de Castro, located in the Xokó Indigenous Village, São Pedro Island (SE). 

The event featured the Exhibition Women of Abya Yala, which brought together diverse artistic and cultural expressions: Indigenous feather art, bio-jewelry from the Cinta Vermelha-Jundiba Village, books, Xokó ceramics, and products from the Rede Solidária de Mulheres of Sergipe. There were also toré performances conducted by master Dona Bárbara Pankararu, her grandson Yuriê Pankararu, and the leaders Joseane Xokó and Danny Xokó. 

EVENT PROGRAM

February 12

• Opening of the Cuias de Conversa
  • Participation of Indigenous poet and writer Débora Arruda Aranã
• Lectures and Discussions
  • Xokó Knowledge: Linking School and Territory
    Danny Xokó – Language Teacher
  • Diasporas of the Pankararu and Pataxó Peoples of Cinta Vermelha–Jundiba Village
    Uakyrê Pankararu-Pataxó – Master in Geography
  • Living Well in a Woman Village
    Rita Simone Barbosa – PhD
• Mediation
  • Cleonice Pankararu – Biologist, researcher, agroecologist, and leader of the Indigenous Women’s Movement
• Closing Activity
  • Book signing: Living Well in a Woman Village: A Study on Communication, Knowledge and Flavors in the Cinta Vermelha–Jundiba Village (Barbosa, 2025)
  • Cultural soirée

February 13

• Cuia of Hands and Invisible Plants
  • On Flowers and Life
    Cleonice Pankararu
  • Identity of the Xokó People
    Joseane Xokó
• Mediation
  • Carleane Xukuru – Researcher
• Additional Morning Lectures
  • Sign Language and Indigenous Women
    Alzenira Oliveira – PhD
  • Confluence of Knowledge and Pluri-university
    Fernanda Rosa – PhD
• Workshop
  • Led by Uakyrê Pankararu-Pataxó – Artist
• Film Screening
  • The Shaman’s Hand (2015)
  • Mother Té Xokó (2022)
  • Elas em Elos: The Strength of Women in Network (2023)
  • Documentaries produced by Rita Simone Barbosa in Xokó and Pankararu-Pataxó territories and among the Mangaba Gatherers of Sergipe
• Debate
  • Participants: Alícia Mangabeira, Mirsa Barreto, Cleonice Pankararu, Joseane Xokó

February 14

Lecture

• Prayer and Birth
  Dona Josefa da Guia – Quilombola leader, midwife, and prayer woman
• Mediation
  • Mirsa Barreto – Master in Environment, coordinator of the Rede Solidária de Mulheres de Sergipe

February 15

• Visit to the Xokó Village
  • Conversation and singing circle with Indigenous women
  • Dialogue on the confluences of the Pankararu, Pataxó, and Xokó peoples toward collective Living Well