Theorizations about literature by indigenous authors in Brazil

From objects to subjects of Literature and Theory

Abstract

Based on theoretical references on literary production by indigenous authors in Brazil, we intend to reflect on the presence (or the absence) of indigenous authors in prominent spaces of knowledge production throughout the country’s history. Based on these references, a general scheme will be proposed for showing how Literature played (and still plays) an ambiguous role in the relationship between official Brazilian culture and its indigenous populations: as mere objects of literary discourse, indigenous people are often silenced and ridiculed through crude stereotypes; however, from the moment they start to claim the place of subjects producing literature, these structures are detected and confronted. Taking into account the analysis of some works by Ailton Krenak, Kaka Werá Jecupé, Eliane Potiguara and Daniel Munduruku, we defend the idea that literary production by indigenous authors operates a series of transformations within Literature itself, raising deep questions about the modern borders and hierarchies between writing and orality, word and graphism, signature and anonymity, individualism and collectivity, innovation and tradition.