Educação infantil: criança Guarani e Kaiowá da Reserva Indígena de Dourados

Abstract

In the indigenous culture the small child is generally educated within the family, which includes grandparents, parents and uncles, according to the traditional values and customs of each ethnic group. The Indigenous Reserve of Dourados - RID consists of three ethnic groups: Guarani, Kaiowá and Terena and is located between two very near cities, Dourados and Itaporã, a situation which leads the people Guarani and Kaiowá to live under constantly transformation in their social environment and cultural. This study presents an ethnographic analysis of qualitative nature related to the preschool I and II in the Dourados’ Indigenour Reserva [Reserva Indígena de Dourados – RID where are the Jaguapiru and Bororó setlements. The aim of the research is to understand the indigenous early childhood education within the specific culture of the Guarani and Kaiowá. The method was the case study; the research schools studied were Ramão Martins and Tengatui Marangatu of Jaguapiru Settlement, and Lacui Roque Isnard schools of Bororó Settlement. The methodology followed the following steps: bibliographical and documentary research on the indigenous children's education policies and political pedagogical project of the schools; fieldwork done through interviews with coordinators and teachers of the 1st and 2nd level of Preschool and parents of the students. The RID was created with the purpose of integration to the national state, under the hegemonic model of indigenism, without recognition of the diversity among indigenous ethnical groups. Although, even if there is a hegemonic discourse of the indigenous in certain moment, because they think they can strength against the external world, in the RID day life of there are divergence and struggle. The research showed the importance of implanting quality policies that to meet the cultural specificity of indigenous children. The data reveal that indigenous children live in atypical environment compared with other ethical group and settlement. The RID is located nearby two cities, has a high population density and high level of violence, whicht situation put the children in risk. The traditional indigenous education that was under the responsibility of extended families in the past, it has been influenced by different external factors. The information of the interviewers show the willing of the families and authorities to create a space to attend the indigenous children after 3 years of age, taking in consideration the socio-historical-cultural and the proximity of the Guarani, Kaiowá and Terena.