Abstract

CAMELO GOMEZ, Michael Steven  and  JIMENEZ QUENGUAN, Myriam. Theater for Memoirs: Dancing and Beliefs. Educación [online]. 2021, vol.45, n.1, pp.298-322. ISSN 2215-2644.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/revedu.v45i1.42261.

Teatro para la Memoria (Theatre for Memory), was developed in Cumbal - Nariño (Colombian-Ecuadorian border) in 2016 to teach indigenous youth about their ancestral legacy and cultural traditions through dance and theater. The project is underpinned by the impact of Brazilian dramatist Augusto Boal´s Theater of the Oppressed, which reflects the teachings of his mentor, educator, Paulo Freire. The project adhered to a qualitative paradigm and ethnographic study that included the interactive participation of the focus group participants. The group participants communicated creatively regarding who they are, what they do and how they felt, recording it in logs, known as “mingas of thought”, visual representations of their memories through drama, exemplified in the collectively written, Return of the Partridges. The results show that art can inspire youngsters from any cultural community and instill them with a greater sense of ownership of their bodies, minds and voices so they can better connect with society, claim their place in the world and provide express in society, vindication of their place in the world and make the stories of their community more meaningful. This experience was replicated among different cities in Colombia to share the spirituality, history and strength of the Pastos culture. It is noteworthy that this community stated having experienced social inequity as a result of their being a remote community, isolated from the capital city. Finally, a reflection is conducted on the Dance Theater technique which is part of ethnoliterature, art and education to provide a positive support mechanism for transforming problems.

Keywords : Pastos; Indigenous Theater; Memory of Cumbal; Mingas of Thought; Pedagogy of the Oppressed; Dance Theatre.

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