A diversidade da vida nos territórios amazônicos: onde a figura mítica da cobra se multiplica em diferentes sentidos de mundo(s)

Origin myths from different cultural traditions in Amazonian territories reveal the potency of mythical narratives as manifestations of cultural diversity that underpins the region's biodiversity. Using Dialogical Multiplication, an Indigenous Psychology approach, the article contrasts the biblical demonization of the snake as evil with indigenous and Afro-Brazilian myths that exalt its creative and transformative powers—as the rainbow uniting sky and earth, in healing rituals, associated with Ayahuasca and the female art of Kene, and as the origin of life and rivers. The paper argues that Amazonian biodiversity results from indigenous ways of being and thinking.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The article brings together some origin myths from different cultural traditions that coexist in Amazonian territories, in an archaeological effort that aims to show the potency of mythical narratives as manifestation of cultural diversity that permeates biodiversity of Amazonian territories. The richness of Amazonian biodiversity is globally valued, however, it is hardly recognized that it is the result of the way of being, thinking and acting in the world of various indigenous peoples that cohabit and compose Amazonian territories (NEVES, 2020). Taking as methodological basis the notion of Dialogical Multiplication (GUIMARÃES, 2022; 2021; 2020; 2017) that points to principles of an Indigenous Psychology implicated with openness to diversity, we start from the mythological figure of the snake as a cutout criterion, operating a multiplication of meanings from different cultural perspectives that each origin myth manifests. The paperhighlightsthe contrast between missionary and colonizers' perspectives with the indigenous and Afro-Brazilian peoples. The mythological figure of the snake is demonized in biblical myth of Genesis as the origin of evil, sin and betrayal, while in different indigenous and Afro-Brazilian origin myths, other possible meanings appear,exalting creative and transforming potencies, associated with the rainbow that unites sky and earth in its ability of transit between different poles, as well as in healing rituals (LINDOSO, 2007), also associated with Ayahuasca and female art of Kene, inits transformative potential for healing and visionary perception (BELAUNDE, 2013; LAGROU, 2013); and to the very origin of life in its diversity and of the rivers that intercut Amazonian territories (PÃRÕKUMU & KËHÍRI, 1995; PACHECO, 2009).