Education through Color: The Pedagogical Potential of Natural Dyeing in the Jequitinhonha Valley

Abstract

This article examines the natural dyeing practice developed in the Quilombola Community of Curtume, in Jenipapo de Minas (MG), highlighting its sociocultural, environmental, and pedagogical significance. This qualitative study combines a literature review and participant observation to understand the dyeing process and its educational potential. The results indicate that the exclusive use of plant-based resources reduces the environmental impacts of synthetic dyes while strengthening quilombola cultural identity. Aligned with the BNCC guidelines, the technique supports a critical, contextualized, and interdisciplinary approach to Environmental Education, enabling students to analyze biomes, production chains, sustainability, and traditional knowledge. The proposed teaching activities show that the practice fosters ecological awareness, cultural appreciation, and student agency. The study concludes that natural dyeing is a powerful tool for integrating scientific and traditional knowledge, contributing to citizenship education and to building a school culture committed to environmental justice and sustainability.