Weaving and subsidizing a children and youth’s literary product for the teaching of African and afro-Brazilian history and culture

Abstract

There are potentialities in the use of children and youth’s literature in the perspective of the education of ethnic-racial relations, as proposed in the Brazilian legal document Lei nº 10.639/2003. Therefore, the tale Grandma Estela's terreiro, our little piece of Africa was written to introduce the story of Luanda and her grandmother Estela, who grows healing leaves in her backyard; which are used for prayers, teas, baths and smoking. While propelling its publication and circulation in different educational spaces, it is important to acknowledge that its content must be submitted to social actors for evaluation. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the tale from its reception by a group of teachers, writers and researchers. The evaluation format for the reception was developed through a content validation process, in which it was possible to better measure the possibilities for use, criticism and changes in writing, language, scope and target audience. The story was evaluated and duly validated by specialists, who have significantly contributed for the education of ethnic-racial relations and the teaching of African and afro-Brazilian history and culture.