Necropolitics in Children’s Literature: the Silencing of Calon children's cultural practices

Abstract (English)

This study investigates the systematic and deliberate absence of children’s literature focused on the cultural practices and play of Calon children, interpreting this phenomenon as an expression of necropolitics within both literary and educational domains. It is grounded in necropolitical theory, as presented by Mbembe (2018), which analyzes the power to determine the visibility and exclusion of specific social groups. The study introduces the concept of “Necropolitics of Calon Children's Creative-Playing and Storytelling Literature” (MARQUES, 2025), which highlights how the intentional exclusion of playful and narrative practices, essential to the construction of collective identity, fosters the symbolic and cultural erasure of this ethnic group. Historically, the Calon have faced marginalization processes sustained by stereotyped and prejudiced representations (GUIMARÃES, 2019; SHIMURA, 2014; GOLDFARB, 2018), preventing their cultural practices from being valued during childhood and hindering the development of a strong ethnic identity. In this context, Cardoso and Bonomo (2019) emphasize that play and storytelling are fundamental to socialization and to the constitution of the subject. The study goes beyond bibliographic review and incorporates data from visits conducted in 2024 to the municipal departments of education in Carapebus and Quissamã, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During these visits, children’s books authored by the researcher were presented, along with a proposal for teacher training aimed at promoting cultural diversity and Calon ludic practices. However, as of April 2025, there has been no expression of interest from these departments, revealing an institutional disengagement characteristic of educational necropolitics. In addition, the study critically analyzes the challenges encountered in the publishing field. During the publication process, significant obstacles emerged: some publishers imposed changes that compromised the cultural authenticity of the works, while others showed disregard for contractual obligations and failed to promote the publications, leading to contract termination and lack of proper dissemination. These facts confirm that the phenomenon of exclusion extends to the editorial sphere, establishing itself as a systematic structure of cultural erasure. In summary, the absence of children's literature that reflects the experiences of Calon children reveals a form of necropolitics operating within both educational and publishing spheres. This highlights the urgent need for interventions in public policy and pedagogical strategies to foster the recognition and appreciation of cultural diversity, contributing to the construction of a more inclusive and plural childhood.