Cordel literature in periodicals from the educ@ database and FEPAE North-Northeast

Abstract

The cordel literature exhibits cultural and historical relevance in Brazil, as well as potential for educational processes. This article was based on bibliographic research to analyze the panorama and the role of cordel literature in educational studies. The survey was carried out in journals indexed in Educ@, as well as in the Forum of Editors of Education Journals in North and Northeast, considering the entire publication time of each vehicle until 2023. The analysis considered bibliometric indicators of production (year of publication, journal, author’s institutions and geographic region), alongside an examination of the content focused on the cordel role in the papers. Eighteen works were identified, the majority published after 2017, which points to relatively limited production. The authorship was predominantly from different universities in Northeast or North regions, indicating a geographically localized production. Four dimensions emerged about cordel in the research: (i) Educational-cultural; (ii) Educational resource; (iii) Cordel as an object of analysis and, (iv) Conception of cordel for pedagogical practice. The distribution across the categories was relatively balanced. The educational-cultural role emerged as the most prevalent (7), whereas the use as analytical object was the least represented (2). A diversity of uses and functions of cordel was evidenced, ranging from its employment as a formal didactic resource and teachers’ conceptions of its pedagogical role, to historical analyses and the production of pamphlets aimed at disseminating knowledge. Such results indicate the variety of research paths, as well as the richness of this cultural heritage in Brazil.