Educational Aspects of the Baião de Princesas Ritual at Casa Fanti Ashanti in São Luís, Maranhão: Considerations Based on Participant Observation

Abstract

This article analyzes the Baião de Princesas ritual, held at Casa Fanti Ashanti in São Luís, Maranhão, as an Afro-religious artistic pedagogy and its contributions to anti-racist education in Art teaching. Grounded in the understanding that racism structures curricula and pedagogical practices, the study problematizes the hegemony of Eurocentric references and advocates for the recognition of Afro-Brazilian knowledge as legitimate forms of knowledge production. A qualitative approach was adopted, based on a case study and ethnographic assumptions, using observation of the ritual, field notes, and photographic records as research procedures. The analysis reveals that the Baião de Princesas mobilizes formative processes rooted in orality, corporeality, musicality, and collectivity, constituting a space for aesthetic and culturally situated learning. These elements configure a pedagogy that articulates art, spirituality, and tradition, expanding the possibilities of Art education from a decolonial perspective. The findings indicate that incorporating such knowledge can contribute to more inclusive, critical pedagogical practices committed to valuing ethnic-racial diversity. It is concluded that recognizing terreiros as educational spaces is fundamental to strengthening anti-racist education capable of challenging hegemonic models and promoting racial equity in schools. Furthermore, the study engages with decolonial frameworks and Brazilian educational policies, such as Law 10.639/03, highlighting the urgency of integrating Afro-Brazilian content into Art curricula and investing in continuous teacher education for the effective implementation of anti-racist practices in public education.