“Write it down or record it: what I do isn’t written anywhere.” That’s how poet, slammer, writer and screenwriter Gisélia de Sá Trajano – known as Gih Trajano – often introduced herself. She received her early education in poetry while incarcerated, through poetry slams hosted by the Poetas do Tietê collective at the prison where she was serving time at the turn of the 21st century. Born in 1977 in Suzano, Brazil, to working-class Northeastern migrant parents who raised six children, Gih first encountered cultural production behind bars and quickly became a poet. She soon discovered slam poetry and rose to prominence through powerful spoken word performances. Her strong oral style also shaped her debut in written literature, Quem Saberia Perder, a short story that fictionalizes the life of Angélica, a Black working-class woman whose life spirals when she commits a crime and ends up in prison. Gih has since expanded her creative work to screenwriting and participated in a writers’ room for Multishow.
Education
- High School / Technical Education
Filmography
- “SINTONIA” (2021) – Script consultant for seasons 4 and 5 of the drama series produced by Gullane for Netflix.
- “NO CORRE” (2024) – Staff writer on season 2 of the comedy series produced for Multishow.
- “DR. QUEBRADA” (in development) – Participated in the writers’ room for the upcoming fiction series, her first experience in audiovisual.
Literary & Artistic Projects
- Mulheres da Periferia (2017) – Participated in cultural programming for incarcerated girls, featuring events like Feira da Reforma Agrária and Semeadores de Quilombos (poetry, rap, and repente).
- 1st International Meeting on Poetry and Arts in Prisons (2019) – Speaker and performer at this academic and artistic event held by UNILA.
- Rés Negras, Judiciário Branco (2019) – Performed “Improvisada desde que nasci” at the Center for Dance (São Paulo).
- Felino – Festival Literário da Norte (2019) – Panelist on “Literature Behind Bars: Poetry Is Freedom.”
- Festival Literário Libertas (2020) – Performed in a poetry event featuring formerly incarcerated poets.
- Sarau sas Mina Tudo – Participated in this all-women slam event on International Women’s Day.
- Sarau Asas Abertas – Regular performer with the Poetas do Tietê collective.
- Programa Tarja Preta (2019) – Featured slammer in a film slam event produced by Monomito Filmes.
Publications
- Poetas do Tietê Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (2016) – Collective poetry anthology.
- Veia e Ventania (2016) – Includes her poem “Destroços.”
- Caderno de Atividades: Sarau Asas Abertas (2020) – Educational booklet sent to male and female prisons across Brazil.
- Revista Flaneur (2018), Issue #07 – Featured literary piece.
- Quem Saberia Perder (2022) – Short fiction debut.