Ê, coreira: vida e trabalho de Regina Arcanjo

In this text, female participation in popular culture is discussed through the life and work trajectory of Ana Regina Braga Arcanjo, a coreira of the tambor de crioula in São Luís, Maranhão. The analysis details the constitution of her career, considering both individual and structural aspects, aiming to highlight the strategies used to build and consolidate her professional identity in an unequal and adverse cultural context. An in-depth interview was conducted, along with immersive participation in cultural and educational events in Maranhão and São Luís, between September 2023 and May 2024. During these encounters, Regina shared aspects of her personal journey, the practice of the tambor de crioula, and the cultural policies developed in the city. The data were analyzed based on the concept of intersectionality, considering factors such as race, class, and gender and their impacts on popular culture. This approach enabled an understanding of the challenges Regina faces in maintaining and disseminating this way of expression, which is recognized as cultural heritage by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage. Finally, it becomes evident how she combines traditional values and creative economy in the production of cultural goods and services. This practice takes place in a context marked by still-fragile cultural policies, underscoring her contribution to strengthening popular culture and valuing women in the tambor de crioula.