Mother Dora de Oyá; Candomblé; Samba; Black Women
This study narrates the life of Mother Dora de Oyá based on the methodologies of “Escrevivência” (Writting based on lived experiences), and “Escrita Afetiva” (Emotional Writting).She is a black woman, Ialorixá (Chief of a Candomblé temple), singer and composer of samba music. Also, she is a member of the Irmandade da Boa Morte (Boa Morte’s Brotherhood), former member of the Brazilian Communist Party, and a physiotherapist. Doralina Fernandes Barreto Regis, upon becoming Mother Dora de Oyá, emerged as a socio-political reference not only for her local community (based on the Federal District) but also for various Candomblé temples, samba circles, and societies across Brazil. Brazilian cultural historiography, both within and outside academia, is caratherized by the erasure of black women. Thus, this thesis represents an initial attempt to restore the significance of these women through the story of Mother Dora de Oyá and to encourage studies that intersect gender, race, religion, and Afro-Brazilian culture.
Finally, the study demonstrates how women of Candomblé tradition, the Candomblé itself and samba are inseparable elements, and, because of that, it is possible (and necessary) to consider the spitirual dimension of samba. More than a musical genre, samba can be understood as an Orixá, governing each person’s sense of belonging and enabling essential community actions for survival.