Learning through Freedom

Ownership and Environment in Galibi-Marworno Children's Education

Bibliographic Data

ID3074900
AuthorsAntonella Tassinari (0000-0002-8649-7593, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume33
Issue1
Pages15-32
Publication date2025-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0964-0282 • E-ISSN: 1469-8676
PublisherBerghahn Books (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3167/saas.2025.330102
OpenAlexW4412396319
LanguageEN
References cited12

Galibi-Marworno education is grounded in the principle that children should 'live freely in the community' to develop a strong and healthy body and acquire practical knowledge for everyday life. This article argues that freedom is socially and interactionally constructed, shaped differently according to the characteristics of various socio-environmental contexts. Focusing on learning situations within extended matrilocal family spaces (houses, cassava mills, swiddens), the article examines key aspects of Galibi-Marworno childhood and kinship. By contrasting these safe spaces with those of otherness - considered dangerous, such as other family houses, forests, rivers and neighbouring cities - the study highlights the concept of 'ownership' as a crucial mediator of children's engagement with their lived world. Résumé L'éducation Galibi-Marworno est basée sur le principe qui veut que les enfants doivent 'vivre librement dans la communauté' pour développer un corps fort et sain, et acquérir les savoirs utiles à la vie quotidienne. Cet article présente l'argument que la liberté est construite d'une façon sociale et interactionnelle, et formée différemment suivant les caractéristiques de divers contextes socio-environnementales. En focalisant sur des situations d'apprentissage dans des espaces familiaux et matrilocaux (maisons, moulins de manioc, swiddens), nous examinons des aspects clés de l'enfance et de la parenté chez les Galibi-Marworno. En contrastant ces espaces sûrs avec des espaces considérés dangereux - les maisons d'autres familles, les forêts, les rivières et les villes à proximité - nous soulignons le concept de 'la propriété' comme un médiateur crucial de l'engagement des enfants avec leur monde vécu. Resumo A educação Galibi-Marworno se baseia no princípio de que as crianças devem "viver livremente na comunidade" para desenvolver um corpo forte e saudável e adquirir conhecimentos práticos para a vida cotidiana. Este artigo argumenta que a liberdade é uma construção social e interacional, moldada de maneira distinta conforme as características de diferentes contextos socioambientais. Com foco nas situações de aprendizado nos espaços da família extensa matrilocal (casas, casas de farinha, roças), o artigo examina aspectos fundamentais da infância e das relações de parentesco Galibi-Marworno. Ao contrastar esses espaços seguros com os espaços de alteridade - considerados perigosos, como as casas de outras famílias, florestas, rios e cidades vizinhas, o estudo destaca o conceito de "doneidade" como um mediador crucial do engajamento das crianças com o mundo vivido

Political science · Computer Science · Global Educational Policies and Reforms

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