Nego Bispo – Trajetórias

Summary

In this profound narrative, Antônio Bispo dos Santos (also known as Negro Bispo) shares his lifelong journey of learning and community, rooted in his experiences as a quilombola and his connection to Afro-Brazilian culture. His story spans from his childhood in a rural Afro-Brazilian community, where oral tradition was paramount, to his activism and work with quilombos and indigenous rights. He reflects on the importance of collective knowledge, the need for cultural preservation, and his challenges navigating societal structures that often undermine his people. Through his experiences, Bispo explores themes of ancestral wisdom, resistance, and the vital connection between past and future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning is a lifelong journey that adapts and evolves, shaping one's perspective and experiences.
• 😀 Knowledge is not a commodity; it is meant to be shared, especially by teachers who impart wisdom to keep knowledge alive.
• 😀 The concept of learning through the oral tradition emphasizes the importance of sharing wisdom, growing, and expanding understanding, much like rivers that merge to become larger.
• 😀 Antônio Bispo dos Santos, also known as Negro Bispo, has a deep connection with his roots, being raised in a quilombola community, a descendant of African ancestors.
• 😀 Bispo's father, a repentista, influenced his early development in the art of wordplay and the oral tradition of improvisational singing.
• 😀 The quilombola way of life is based on community and shared resources, where land ownership was not about private possession but collective use and cooperation.
• 😀 Education played a significant role in Bispo’s life, and the community supported his schooling by helping him access resources like pencils and books.
• 😀 Bispo's experiences in the city of Rio de Janeiro during the military dictatorship shaped his understanding of political and social struggles.
• 😀 The conflict around land rights for quilombola communities arose when the state tried to treat land as a commodity, causing tension and loss for some families.
• 😀 Bispo emphasizes the difference between development and sustainability, proposing the concept of 'biotera' to describe a more organic and interconnected approach to growth.
• 😀 His book, written in 2007, explored the struggles and history of quilombola communities, drawing from places like Caldeirão, Canudos, and Palmares to highlight the resilience of these communities against colonialism and oppression.
• 😀 Bispo values ancestral knowledge, seeing it as an organic, living tradition that continues to evolve and enrich future generations, especially through the wisdom shared by elders.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'learning is a permanent question'?

The speaker views learning as an ongoing process, one that is constantly evolving and adapting. It is not merely about acquiring knowledge, but about living and experiencing, with learning being an integral part of that journey.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between teaching and knowledge sharing?

The speaker emphasizes that knowledge grows when it is shared, much like a river that grows larger when it meets another. This analogy highlights the importance of passing knowledge on, as it helps keep it alive and growing.

What role did the speaker's family background play in shaping their worldview?

The speaker's family background influenced their perspective significantly. Their father's background as a repentista (improvisational poet) introduced them to the power of words, while their mother's family was involved in production, grounding them in practical knowledge. Their upbringing in a quilombo community shaped their views on land, community, and collective action.

What was the significance of the speaker’s experience with land ownership and its legal implications?

The speaker discusses the challenges faced by their community when formal land ownership and legal documents were introduced. The community had a system based on oral agreements and communal ownership, but when legal land titles were required, many struggled to adapt, leading to conflicts and loss of land.

What was the speaker’s role in the local community’s education and development?

The speaker acted as a translator between the written and oral traditions. While the community taught them through oral methods, they used their literacy to help others understand legal and bureaucratic matters, such as land documentation and government policies.

Why did the speaker choose to move to Rio de Janeiro in 1978, and how did they manage their time there?

The speaker moved to Rio de Janeiro to explore the city, not for work. They spent time working in intervals to avoid the military dictatorship's laws, reflecting a desire to experience life in the city while still maintaining personal freedom.

What impact did the speaker have on the labor movement and discussions surrounding quilombola rights?

The speaker actively engaged in the labor movement, challenging the notion that resolving class struggles would automatically solve all issues. They advocated for the rights of quilombolas, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups, pushing for recognition and support for their land and cultural rights.

What is the difference between 'decolonial' and 'anticolonial' as described by the speaker?

The speaker differentiates between 'decolonial' and 'anticolonial' by explaining that 'decolonial' implies a process of undoing colonization, which only applies to those who were colonized. In contrast, 'anticolonial' reflects resistance against colonialism, even for those who were never colonized, such as the quilombola community.

How does the speaker define 'organic knowledge' and how does it contrast with 'synthetic knowledge'?

The speaker defines organic knowledge as knowledge that is connected to life and being, something that evolves with the person and their community. In contrast, synthetic knowledge is seen as detached, focusing more on the development and acquisition of material or external knowledge, without considering the whole context of life and existence.

What is the significance of the speaker's book and its eventual recognition?

The speaker’s book, initially met with skepticism, eventually gained recognition when it was presented at the University of Brasília (UnB). It was later published and became a key reference for discussions on quilombo culture and history. It illustrates the growing acknowledgment of the speaker's work in documenting and preserving cultural knowledge.