Knowledge and practices from the people of axé in the University

Abstract

This text is grounded in the experience of the course “Catar folhas: knowledge and practices from the people of axé” taught by four black experts in traditional knowledge connected to different Afro-Brazilian religious lineages in Minas Gerais. I also discuss some episodes from other courses taught by black experts in traditional knowledge in the context of the Transversal Formation Program in Traditional Knowledge (Programa de Formação Transversal em Saberes Tradicionais) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil). Based on these empirical examples, I reflect on some of the contributions from the knowledge encounters project toward broad transformations in teaching, research, and extension practices within Brazilian universities. I also reflect on the potential contributions of these initiatives to address broader topics such as racism, epistemicide, and historical reparations. In a political context characterized by growing attacks on education and public universities, I intend to highlight the relevance of affirmative action policies and the importance of the experts in traditional knowledge and the Afro and Indigenous epistemologies in academic settings.