Childhood of the artificer apprentices in Maranhão Empire (1841–1899)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article examines the history of Casa dos Educandos Artífices [House of the Artificer Apprentices (1841/1889)] in the Province of Maranhão (Brazil), which received underprivileged boys after the continuous increase of poverty caused by the Rebellion of Balaiada (1839–1841). At the Casa children were taught basic literacy instruction, Christian doctrine, and mechanical work at the War Arsenal, government public works and private workshops. As apprentices learned how to read, write and count, they received grammar, singing and instrumental lessons. Professional training included bricklayer, tailor, joiner, welding and copper. This paper aims to recover the history of this institution, which closed in the Republic Proclamation in 1889, drawing from many sources: manuscripts, letters from the directors to the province presidents, reports from the province presidents themselves, regulations, laws and newspapers that circulated in São Luis (Maranhão) from 1841 to 1889. Based on Norbert Elias’s theoretical contributions, the analysis focuses on the creation and consolidation of the institution, material space, power relations, flow of subjects and management of school schedules and school actors and regulations. This research aims to contribute to understanding the nature of the professional instruction and the characteristics of a peculiar educational establishment in Maranhão in the nineteenth century.