FATHER ERIVALDO AND THE KETU CANDOMBLÉ IN PARAÍBA

AFRO-BRAZILIAN MEMORIES AND IDENTITIES

Abstract

This work aims to understand the aspects of the traditional African cult of the Ketu nation in the city of João Pessoa whose leader is the babalorixá José Erivaldo da Silva, founder of Kessi Ilê Axé Oxum Odenitá, "mother house". The aspects of the life of Father Erivaldo of Oxum and the characteristics of the ritual foreseen in the cult of the Ketu nation are highlighted in this work, providing visibility to the memory committed to cultural and religious diversity. Father Erivaldo has the largest egbé (Family of Saint of Paraíba). He is a militant in support of the cause of respect for religious diversity and against intolerance through actions in research groups and INTECAB (National Institute of Afro-Brazilian Tradition and Culture) where he was president. As to the methodology adopted in the research, it was exploratory, descriptive and of qualitative nature, using the theoretical and methodological foundations of research in Social Memory and Identity. We believe that opening spaces for dialogues, promoting and giving voices to people who are historically excluded is an exercise of citizenship, an affirmative practice that needs to be carried out more often, offering new perspectives.