For an epistemic community of Marajoara Wrestling

Abstract

Introduction: Researchers, professors, artists, filmmakers, regulatory institutions, and policymakers have increasingly shown interest in the traditional Marajó wrestling, contributing to its appreciation, dissemination, recognition, and knowledge production. Objective: To explore the recognition and consolidation of Marajoara Wrestling as a distinct field deserving its own epistemic community. Methodology: The essay follows the epistemological guidance of intellectual work as craftsmanship, using existing literature and reflections as an analytical laboratory to map the epistemic network of Marajoara Wrestling. Results and Discussion: It indicates fundamental principles for establishing an epistemic community for Marajoara Wrestling: exchange of local and academic knowledge; multidisciplinary collaboration; sustainability; and academic honesty and integrity. Conclusions: An epistemic community for Marajoara Wrestling would play the role of recording memory, evaluating, and producing socially relevant knowledge about this Brazilian martial art. It would bring together actors with legitimate experience and competence to understand its practices and propose qualitative advancements in research, intertwining scientific and social fields in the pursuit of greater recognition and appreciation of this northern Brazilian physical practice.