Exu’s journey: transfer of authority and decolonization of matter at the Museu do Homem do Nordeste, in Recife - PE

Abstract

The article examines the materialization of an Exu settlement (assentamento) musealized at the Museu do Homem do Nordeste (Muhne), in Recife - PE, aiming to reflect on the role played by the museum in the decolonization of its knowledge and internal procedures, expanding the museum action to the terreiro of candomblé known as Sítio de Pai Adão. The transfer of authorities, from specialists, curators, and technicians to the Pai de Santo known as Manuel Papai (Manoel do Nascimento Costa) allowed for the legitimization of new perspectives and knowledge on heritage and the museum value. Taking Exu's work as a metaphor, the text seeks to cast a decolonial look at the collections of Afro-Brazilian objects at the Muhne, to raise a critical reflection on the museological chain, proposing new interpretative and practical paths for the matter present in museums.

Keywords:
Museum; Musealization; Exu; Matter; Decolonization