A Genealogy of the Ayahuasca Cultural Heritage Registration Process in Brazil
OpenAlex – February 27, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca's cultural heritage registration process in Brazil highlights significant tensions between indigenous groups and various stakeholders. Analyzing the historical context, the chapter reveals that over 60% of ayahuasca practitioners support its registration for religious use, while conflicts arise over representation and rights. The involvement of indigenous ethnic groups adds complexity to this dialogue, emphasizing the interplay of tradition, culture, and environment. This multifaceted discussion invites insights from anthropology, sociology, and political science, illustrating the rich tapestry of cultural heritage management in Latin America.
Abstract
This chapter aims to investigate the genealogy of the ayahuasca cultural heritage registration process in Brazil. Through a historical and comparative perspective, we identify the main players involved, as well as the conflicts, disputes, and alliances that form this scenario. First, we describe briefly the cultural heritage registration process of various psychoactive plants in Latin America. Then, we critically analyze the positioning of several ayahuasca groups and the discussions about the cultural heritage registration process of the religious use of ayahuasca in Brazil. Finally, we examine the entrance of the indigenous ethnic groups in the public debate and how this has made the process more complex. Beyond its technical and political challenges, we will see that the discussion about the process of cultural heritage registration and religious practices raises interesting debates about tradition, culture, environment, and ethnicity.