Co-maternidades na mitologia dos Orixás: uma análise do tratamento jurídico conferido às madrastas no Direito das famílias

Abstract

This study analyzes co-motherhoods in African mythology, focusing on the Itãn Yorubá narratives and their contributions to rethinking contemporary family arrangements. In these myths, motherhood is conceived as plural and collective, shared among different female figures who assume complementary responsibilities in the creation, protection, and transmission of axé (vital force). Notable examples include the myth of Omolú, conceived by Nanã and nurtured by Iemanjá, and the myth of the divine twins Ibeji, in which Oxum, Oyá, and Iemanjá simultaneously play maternal roles. This worldview values solidarity among women and demonstrates that care and affection transcend biological boundaries, being dimensions structured by ancestrality and community bonds. The research establishes a dialogue between these narratives and the legal framework of blended families, highlighting that, while Western tradition has historically stigmatized figures such as the stepmother, the Afro-Brazilian universe celebrates female care networks. This perspective inspires the expansion of the recognition of socio-affective bonds and strengthens the principle of integral protection, as established by the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA). The study adopts a qualitative and interpretative approach, based on a bibliographic review of articles published between 2021 and 2025 in indexed journals (Qualis B4 or higher) and classical works on Afro-Brazilian religiosities. The findings demonstrate that the myths of the orixás provide a symbolic and epistemological framework to decolonize imaginaries and develop new legal practices, recognizing the diversity of family arrangements and the centrality of affection in ensuring comprehensive protection.