Materializing Alliances
Oxford University Press eBooks – June 18, 2014
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca shamanism in western Brazil fosters connections among indigenous and non-indigenous participants during political and cultural gatherings. These ritual spaces, often held at night, facilitate cooperation and knowledge exchange. Indigenous leaders, even those with limited shamanic experience, have traveled internationally to share their spiritual practices, attracting significant interest from non-Indians. This engagement brings economic resources but also raises concerns for indigenous communities about control over their traditions. Overall, these interactions enhance the visibility of Amazonian shamanic knowledge while maintaining community governance.
Abstract
Abstract This chapter looks at ritual spaces of ayahuasca shamanism in western Brazil, organized by indigenous people to be shared purposefully with other indigenous and non-indigenous participants. This usually occurs in the evenings of political and cultural meetings, training courses, and cultural festivals. They allow identifying people with whom to cooperate, exchange substances, and share knowledge. Second, through many elements of ayahuasca shamanism indigenous professionals and leaders can variously communicate information about their history, ancestors, and nonhuman beings in their sociocosmos. Even indigenous people with few shamanic skills have been invited over state borders and to foreign countries, especially by non-Indians interested in indigenous spiritualism. This has also meant the involvement of economic resources, making it a sensitive issue for indigenous communities. Amazonian indigenous shamanism shared with non-kin brings new visibility for Amazonian shamanic ways of knowing and practices, but the “horizontal openings” remain controlled in the communities.