On December 5th, 2025, the Traditional Knowledge Chair of the Institute for Advanced Transdisciplinary Studies (IEAT) will be inaugurated. This initiative continues the work that UFMG has been developing for over three decades – in a symmetrical dialogue – with indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, and other traditional Brazilian populations. The event is open to the public and does not require registration.

The program will begin at 9:00 AM with a welcome coffee prepared by Cozinha das Tradições. At 10:00 AM, opening songs will be presented, with the participation of Kanatyo Pataxoop, chief and teacher of the Muã Mimatxi village, and Pai Ricardo de Moura, caretaker of the Casa de Caridade Pai Jacob do Oriente and Afro-descendant cultural activist in Belo Horizonte.

Following this, the opening session will take place, with the participation of the rector of UFMG, Sandra Goulart Almeida, the patron of the chair, federal deputy Célia Xakriabá, the director of IEAT, Patrícia Kauark, and the leaders Dona Liça Pataxoop, from the Muã Mimatxi village, and Makota Kidoialê, from the Manzo Ngunzo Kaiango quilombo, both members of the Chair’s Management Committee.

After the opening session, there will be a presentation of songs with the Women Embroiderers of the Jequitinhonha Valley.

IEAT/UFMG Chair of Traditional Knowledge

The Chair of Traditional Knowledge seeks to recognize the knowledge of indigenous, Afro-descendant, quilombola, and other traditional Brazilian populations, welcoming their masters and mistresses as researchers who will contribute to the creation of a multi-epistemic university.