Work

Contemporary Guarani Shamanisms: “Traditional Medicine” and Discourses of Native Identity in Brazil

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: The psychoactive substance known as ayahuasca has long been identified with Amazonian shamanism and traditional medicine. Over the last two decades its use has spread outside this region to urban populations in different parts of the world. This paper examines the adoption of the ritual use of the beverage by the Guarani Indians along the southern coast of Brazil. We argue that this process is related to the growing politics of identity of Brazilian indigenous peoples as well as to public policies that promote cultural diversity. In the case analyzed here, the adoption of ayahuasca is articulated with an ongoing cultural revitalization in activities related to shamanism, health and education and with the specific desires and actions of the leading family in one Guarani village.

Source: Health Culture and Society

DOI: 10.5195/hcs.2012.98

Authors: E J Langdon, I S Rose

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Language: English

Topic: Indigenous Studies in Latin America

Subfield: Cultural Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina