Miss and Mister indigenous of Dourados

: hybrid ritual of symbolic dispute

Authors

  • Maria de Lourdes University of São Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22478/ufpb.1982-6605.2025v22n1.74171

Abstract

This article examines the Miss and Mister Indigenous Dourados pageant as

a hybrid ritual that articulates symbolic disputes surrounding Indigenous belonging,identity, and representation. Through a theoretical-ethnographic approach, it argues that

the event—far from being a mere case of cultural appropriation—constitutes

a performative space in which both traditions and colonial signs are re-signified.

Drawing on theorists such as Mauss, Bhabha, Latour, and Butler, Segatto and Beldi de

Alcântara demonstrate that the Indigenous bodies on stage do not simply represent,

but enunciate, thereby putting into tension structures of power and visibility. The text

underscores the ambiguous nature of the event—simultaneously a site of celebration,

conflict, and political reinvention, and thus of belonging—and contends that identity

performances/experiences should be understood as ongoing practices, rather than

episodic occurrences.

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Author Biography

Maria de Lourdes, University of São Paulo

Interdisciplinary anthropologist with over 20 years of leadership in public policy research, focusing on gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV), health equity, and state accountability in Latin America. Proven track record in designing, implementing, and evaluating gender equality programs within humanitarian contexts. Collaborative experience with UN agencies, NGOs, and local governments to promote sustainable solutions and advocate for women's and girls' rights.

Academic Qualifications

  • Post-Ph.D. in Social Psychology
    Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo (USP)—2005
  • Ph.D. in Sociology
    Faculty of Philosophy, Arts, and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP)—1996
  • M.A. in Anthropology
    Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP)—1989
  • B.A. in Social Science
    Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP)—1985

Academic Affiliations & Positions

  • Invited Scholar, Global Health & Medical Anthropology, Harvard University (2014)
  • Visiting Scholar, Indigenous Rights & Policy Studies, Columbia University (2004)
  • Honorary Professor, Anthropology & Global Health, University of Aberdeen (2017)
  • Invited Researcher, Illness and Social Crisis, Fondazione Angello Celli, Italy (2011)

Relevant Experience

Program Specialist, Gender and Gender-Based Violence (Anticipated Role)
UNFPA, Myanmar

  • Manage the development and implementation of GBV-related initiatives within the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
  • Provide strategic guidance and technical leadership in the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of gender equality initiatives.
  • Coordinate partnerships and represent UNFPA in various coordination mechanisms focusing on gender and GBV.

Policy Advisor
International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) (2000–Present)

  • Develop and advocate for policies addressing the intersection of gender-based violence, health equity, and indigenous rights.
  • Contribute to the formulation and oversight of legislative tools enhancing procurement justice and service delivery.

Principal Investigator
"Leprosy and Well-Being: A Cultural Analysis of Stigma and Trauma" (2017–2024)

  • Leading a multi-sited ethnographic study informing trauma-informed policy protocols in Brazil’s health system.

Co-Coordinator
Indigenous Youth & Human Rights (2010–Present)

  • Developed educational curricula and community advocacy modules, promoting civic participation and legal awareness among indigenous youth.

Key Skills

  • Expertise in gender equality and GBV frameworks within humanitarian settings.
  • Strong program development, implementation, and monitoring skills.
  • Proficient in partnership building, resource mobilization, and capacity training.
  • Excellent skills in report writing, documentation, and data analysis.
  • Fluent in Portuguese and English, with strong intercultural communication abilities.

Selected Publications (2020–2024)

  • Alcântara, M.L.B. et al. (2024). Indigenous Rights and Health: A Legal and Sociocultural Approach. Social Science, 13(5).
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. et al. (2024). Leprosy/Hanseníase: An Interdisciplinary and Epidemiological Analysis in the Amazon. International Journal of Social Research and Innovation (IJSRI).
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. (2023). Brazil Report on Indigenous Issues.  Annual Report, IWGIA.
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. (2021). Do Not Touch Me: Postcolonial Dialogues on Disorder. São Paulo: Ed. d’Autor.
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. et al. (2020). The perception of suicide and violence among Indigenous youth. Revista de Medicina, 99, 305–318.
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. (2018). Brazil. In: Wessendorf, K. (Ed.) The Indigenous World 2018. Copenhagen: IWGIA, pp. 184–194.
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. (2020). Gender-Based Violence and its Impacts on Indigenous Youth: Insights from the Field. Journal of Indigenous Health, 15(2).
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. (2019). Cultural Practices for Resilience: The Role of Indigenous Women in Health Governance. Indigenous Policy Journal, 10(3).
  • Alcântara, M.L.B. (2017). Gender and Land Use: Indigenous Women’s Rights in Brazil. World Development, 88, 222-230.

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Published

2025-08-02

How to Cite

BELDI DE ALCANTARA, Maria de Lourdes. Miss and Mister indigenous of Dourados: : hybrid ritual of symbolic dispute. Religare, [S. l.], v. 22, n. 1, 2025. DOI: 10.22478/ufpb.1982-6605.2025v22n1.74171. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/religare/article/view/74171. Acesso em: 26 jun. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2025): Religare ( jan. a dez. - Fluxo Contínuo)

Section

Dossiê

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