Guarani Research Articles

OS TUPI GUARANI DA ALDEIA RENASCER (SP): UMA REFLEXÃO SOBRE OS ENUNCIADOS DA MISTURA E OS AGENCIAMENTOS DA "CULTURA"

Esse artigo visa discutir a interlocução da aldeia Renascer com os outros (índios e não índios) dentro do contexto de produção da “cultura”. A aldeia em questão fica no município de Ubatuba e formou-se a partir da ocupação de uma aldeia cenográfica, utilizada nas filmagens do longa-metragem “Hans Staden”. Na aldeia residem índios Tupi Guarani e Guarani Mbya, e, assim como as demais aldeias da região, Renascer está inserida no “universo dos projetos” na busca por maior visibilidade no cenário político nacional e nos investimentos, para tornar aparentes as singularidades de sua “cultura”. Na Aldeia Renascer os Tupi Guarani e Guarani Mbya (apesar das diferenças que destacam entre si) se organizam e se complementam em torno dos aspectos políticos e religiosos de suas comunidades, agenciando o discurso da “cultura”, principalmente, na interação com o mundo dos não índios, ao requererem seus direitos territoriais e reconhecimento em vários aspectos.

TL dating of pottery fragments from four archaeological sites in Taquari Valley, Brazil

Sixty-three pottery fragments from four archaeological sites, numbered RST110, RST101, RST114 and RST114, in the Taquari Valley, vicinity of the city of Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil, have been dated by the thermoluminescence method. Some of them from RST110 and RST101 are as old as 1400–1200 years, whereas those from RST114 and RST107 are younger than 800 years. This result indicates that RST101 and RST110 were peopled earlier than RST114 and RST107. The recent dates found are 302, 295 and 146 years and they are possible, since the first German immigrants who arrived in this region encountered Tupi–Guarani Indians still living there. One interesting result refers to the glow curves of quartz grains RST110, RST101 and RST114 that differ from the glow curves of RST107 quartz grains.

Changes in the acquisition and consumption of food plants and their relationship with indigenous perceptions of health in a Guarani village, São Paulo, Brazil.

The present study investigated Guarani village interviewees’ diet changes over time, their perceptions about the changes and the effects of these changes on their health. The study employed qualitative methods with a sample of Guarani Indians selected by snowball sampling. Ethnographic methods and techniques included field diaries, informal and unstructured interviews and participant observation. The Tenondé Porã Guarani village is located in the district of Parelheiros, São Paulo, Brazil. Interviews were conducted from July 2008 to December 2009. Fifteen Guarani Indians, males and females in age categories ranging from youths to elders, took part in the study. The interviewees reported changes in how food was obtained, the occurrence of food substitutions and food species abandonment, recipe changes and the introduction of new foods. Some ritual use of plants was maintained. Disease frequency was found to increase because of this change and a lack of obedience to Nhanderu (the Guarani God). A lack of space for daily traditional activities (e.g. farming, hunting) was found to result in sedentary lifestyles. The village location was a key factor in the Guarani diet change, although some rituals related to available plants were preserved.

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

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.

Involvement of monoaminergic systems in the antidepressant-like effect of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. (Myrtaceae) in the tail suspension test in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSeveral species of Eugenia L. are used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Eugenia brasiliensis is used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, whereas Eugenia. uniflora is used for the treatment of symptoms related to depression and mood disorders, and is used in Brazil by the Guarani Indians as a tonic stimulant. Aim of the studyTo investigate the antidepressant-like effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of different plant species of genus Eugenia and to characterize the participation of the monoaminergic systems in the mechanism of action of the specie that afforded the most prominent antidepressant-like efficacy. Materials and methodsIn the first set of experiments, the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Eugenia beaurepaireana, Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia catharinae, Eugenia umbelliflora and Eugenia uniflora and the antidepressant fluoxetine (positive control) administered acutely by p.o. route were evaluated in the tail suspension test (TST) and locomotor activity was assessed in the open-field test in mice. In the second set of experiments, the involvement of the monoaminergic systems in the antidepressant-like activity of Eugenia brasiliensis was evaluated by treating mice with several pharmacological agonists and antagonists. The effects of the combined administration of sub-effective doses of Eugenia brasiliensis and the antidepressants fluoxetine, imipramine and bupropion were also evaluated. ResultsThe administration of the extracts from Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia catharinae and Eugenia umbelliflora, but not Eugenia beaurepaireana and Eugenia uniflora, exerted a significant antidepressant-like effect, without altering locomotor activity. The behavioral profile was similar to fluoxetine. Pre-treatment of mice with ketanserin, haloperidol, SCH23390, sulpiride, prazosin and yohimbine prevented the reduction of immobility time induced by Eugenia brasiliensis. Treatment with sub-effective doses of WAY100635, SKF38393, apomorphine, phenylephrine, but not clonidine, combined with a sub-effective dose of Eugenia brasiliensis decreased the immobility time in the TST. Furthermore, the combined administration of sub-effectives doses of Eugenia brasiliensis with fluoxetine, imipramine and bupropion produced an antidepressant-like effect. ConclusionsThis study show, for the first time, the antidepressant-like effect of species of the genus Eugenia, especially Eugenia brasiliensis, whose effects in the TST seem to be mediated by serotoninergic (5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors), noradrenergic (α1-adrenoceptor) and dopaminergic (dopamine D1 and D2 receptors) systems.

Detection of clusters of leprosy cases among Guarani Indians in the Southern region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Detection of clusters of leprosy cases among Guarani Indians in the Southern region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

(Neo)Shamanic Dialogues

This paper is a reflection on the ritual incorporation of ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive ritual substance, by members of a Guarani Indian village on the Atlantic coast of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Their shamanic leaders have adapted the use of this beverage into their ritual practices and recognize it as part of their culture and tradition. This process of appropriation is a result of the formation of a network that involves various actors, among them the Guarani Indians, members of Sacred Fire of Itzachilatlan, followers of the Brazilian ayahuasca religion Santo Daime, and a health team employed to provide primary attention to Indian communities. Based on this case study, we demonstrate that shamanisms today emerge out of specific political and historic contexts. If the concept of shamanism is useful as an analytical paradigm, it must be thought of as a dialogical category constructed through interaction between actors with diverse origins, discourses, and interests.

New natural variants of hepatitis B virus among Amerindians from Argentina with mainly occult infections

BackgroundHepatitis B virus infection is frequent among Amerindians. In Argentina HBV genotypes A, B, C, D, E, F and H were described in different populations, while some cases of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) were reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfected patients. ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, genetic diversity of HBV and to analyze the deduced amino acid sequence of both S and viral polymerase (P) genes among Amerindians of Argentina. Study designA cross-sectional study including 561 individuals belonging to distinct ethnic groups, the Mbyá-guaraní (MG), the Kolla (K), the Sagua-Huarpe (SH) and the Wichi (W) was performed. ResultsThe prevalence of HBsAg was 1.7% and 1.4% for the MG and SH, respectively, while anti-HBc was detected in all communities. HBV DNA of S/P and preCore-Core genomic regions were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction in 59 reactive samples for anti-HBc total Ig and/or HBsAg. Of them, thirteen exhibited detectable HBV DNA, eleven of which were identified as OBI. Genotype F was predominant in the MG community with co-circulation of subgenotypes F4, F1b, A2 and D3, while subgenotype C2 prevailed within the SH community. All cases exhibited the polymorphism rtL217R within the RT domain associated to resistance to adefovir. Mutations rtD206E and rtV207I associated with lamivudine resistance were found in two MG and three SH respectively. Other new substitutions were described within the P sequence. ConclusionsThis study shows for the first time the predominance of OBI, HBV subgenotypes and natural variants in Amerindians from Argentina.

Construções de Gerúndio na Língua Tembé

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of research on Tembé, a Tupi-Guarani language of Northeast of Brazil, with special focus on the cross-referencing system of the gerund constructions. The analysis of the data showed that the subject (Sa) of the intransitive verbs can be identical to either the subject or the object of the preceding clause, whereas the subject (A) of the transitive verbs and (So) of the descriptive verbs can only be identical to the subject of the main clause.The gerund constructions also exhibits a split system: one in which the cross-referencing of So and O is done by the relational prefixes, comprising an ergative system, and another in which the cross-referencing of

Identidades e políticas coloniais: guaranis, índios infiéis, portugueses e espanhóis no Rio da Prata, c.1750-1800

Até recentemente, a historiografia sobre o Rio da Prata apresentava as relações de aliança vigentes na região de maneira um tanto esquemática: os guaranis missioneiros estariam sempre associados aos espanhóis e os minuanos aos portugueses. Acompanhando as novas perspectivas sobre a história dos índios e enfocando tanto o espaço das missões quanto a região da campanha, paulatinamente tais relações vêm sendo percebidas em sua complexidade, que incluía também aproximações amistosas e eventuais alianças políticas dos grupos supostamente antagônicos. O artigo pretende abordar as interações entre os diversos agentes lá presentes, considerando os usos que eles faziam dos diferentes espaços e das diretrizes imperiais, enfatizando como as suas iniciativas e prioridades nem sempre se coadunavam às rígidas classificações coloniais da população indígena.

Structure of the Guaraní aquifer in the surroundings of the Uruguay river from magnetotelluric soundings

Este trabajo se enfoca en obtener un modelo geológico del Sistema Acuífero Guaraní (SAG) en una de las zonas de mayor explotación, mediante sondeos magnetotelúricos de espectro amplio. La región analizada comprende ambos flancos del Río Uruguay entre las latitudes 30º 30’ y 31º 52’ Sur y las longitudes 57º y 58º 22’ Oeste. Como parte de este estudio se realizaron un total de 31 sondeos AMT y MT los cuales fueron calibrados con 14 pozos profundos con información del subsuelo. Previo a la interpretación cuantitativa de los datos, se llevó a cabo un análisis de distorsión de los datos para determinar la dimensionalidad del medio geológico de la región. Los resultados indican que a frecuencias mayores de 1 Hz el subsuelo se comporta como un semi-espacio estratificado (1D) a excepción de algunos sitios en donde existe distorsión asociada a estructuras geológicas locales. A partir de la inversión unidimensional del conjunto de sondeos, se estimó la distribución de las principales unidades litológicas que constituyen el relleno de la cuenca Chaco-Paranense en esta zona, incluyendo al SAG. La calibración de los modelos obtenidos y la asignación de rangos de resistividad de las principales unidades litológicas se llevó a cabo utilizando siete registros de perforaciones profundas disponibles en la zona. Los resultados muestran que el basamento precámbrico se hace más profundo en dirección Oeste, alcanzando profundidades mayores a los 4 km en el lado Argentino del área de estudio. Como parte de os resultados se destaca la presencia de una estructura próxima y paralela al Río Uruguay que parece corresponder a una falla regional que sugiere desplazamientos verticales mayores a los 2 km, con el bloque caído hacia el poniente. Según esta interpretación, el Río Uruguay es en sí mismo una expresión superficial de dicha estructura ya que tiene aproximadamente su misma dirección. A frecuencias inferiores a 1 Hz el subsuelo se comporta como un medio bidimensional con un azimuth de la estructura regional de aproximadamente 0º, el cual es consistente con la orientación aproximada NS del río Uruguay. Usando esta información se llevó a cabo una inversión bidimensional a lo largo de cuatro perfiles transversales a la dirección del río con el objeto de contrastar los modelos obtenidos con aquellos que resultan del tratamiento 1D. Los modelos 2D obtenidos arrojan resultados consistentes, mostrando rasgos y estructuras semejantes a los obtenidos a partir de la inversión 1D del invariante de la impedancia.

Childrearing and the Shaping of Children's Emotional Experiences and Expressions in Two Argentinian Communities

This article analyzes the role of children's social environment in shaping children's emotional expressions. It is based on the findings of an ongoing research study interrogating childrearing practices in two rural populations representing two contrasting ecological contexts in Argentina: Mbya Guarani indigenous communities located in the northeast rainforest (Misiones Province) and creole communities from Molinos (Salta Province), in the highlands and semiarid areas of Argentinean northwest. The focus of this article is on the ways in which adults interpret and respond to children's crying as one manifestation of emotional behavior. This article attempts a comparative analysis of representations, attitudes and behaviors regarding children's crying. It is stressed how discourses of childhood validate some expressions of emotion and restrict and pathologize others. On one hand, parents from both populations not only differ in their tolerance of children's crying but also differ in their evaluation of the difficulties of rearing ‘weeping’ children. On the other hand, in both populations excessive senseless crying represents a risk for children's health as it is considered a symptom of several illnesses. Based on these considerations, at the end of this article each population's ethnotheories of children's appropriate emotional behavior is analyzed, and the implications of these ethnotheories for emotion socialization.

Marriage between "close relatives" : considerations about kinship between the Guarani Nhandéva on western Paraná

The purpose of this study is to investigate the meanings of “kinship” among the Nhandéva Guarani Indians in western Paraná State in Brazil. The main question that this work discusses and answers is “What is the meaning of being a “relative” in this society?” The empirical and theoretical research suggest that a classification can be done relatively on three levels, in which those who are considered “close” are also those with whom they should marry.

Ni explotación ni utopía: un proyecto ilustrado en el corazón de América del Sur

In the twilight of Spanish rule in South America, metropolitan authorities sought for solutions to the Guarani Indians «reducciones» which were languishing after the Jesuits’expulsion. The proposed plans were not accomplished, mainly due to the sloth of royal bureaucrats, or because they were not real solutions to the problem. One of the most comprehensive studies on the matter was the «Informe» of viceroy marques de Aviles, who in 1800 made a detailed study of the once prosperous Paraguayan missions. Moreover, he proposed a definitive solution which consisted in the abolition of communal property among the natives through the institutionalization of individual property and the recognition of the personal rights of the natives.

Jesuitas, guaraníes y armas. Milicias Guaraníes frente a los indios del Gran Chaco

In 1735, Jesuit Provincial Father Jaime Aguilar prepared a Report to the Hispanicmonarch which detailed the services done by the Guarani Indians of the Company reductions,including the interventions of the so called “Guarani militias”. These were erectedin an institution of great strategic military value in the area along the River Plate duringthe 17th and 18th centuries. During these centuries, province governors of Paraguay and Buenos Aires called these militias to carry out various indispensable tasks for the sustainabilityof some Hispanic cities. Among these tasks, the most frequent mobilizations werethose with the purpose of protecting those Hispanic cities adjacent to the territory of GreatChaco, such as Asuncion, Corrientes, and Santa Fe, which suffered constant attacks by thelocal tribes of Indians. In the present work we intent to analyze the militia interventionsdeveloped in these border areas based on information of an unpublished document of the18th century. It enables us to understand the political and strategic value of this militaryinstitution during those years. Key words: Militias, Jesuit Reductions, Great Chaco, Guaycuru.

HLA polymorphism in a Guarani-Indian population from Paraguay and its usefulness for the Hispano-Indian admixture study in Paraguay

In this study we investigated the human leucocyte antigen-A (HLA-A), -B and DRB1 polymorphism of Native American population of Paraguay, the Guarani Indians. We found that the HLA variability consisted of 5 HLA-A, 7 HLA-B and 6 HLA-DRB1 groups of alleles and of several specific alleles (B*1504, B*3505, B*3912, B*4004, B*5104, DRB1*0411, DRB1*1413) common in other Native American populations. The comparison of the HLA polymorphism of the Guaranis from Paraguay with the «Mestizos» of Paraguay and the Spaniards showed that the «Mestizos» of Paraguay are genetically very distant from the Guarani Indians of Paraguay but much more close to the Spaniards. This can be explained, at least in part, by the history of the country. Our results are of importance in transplantation, in particular in the search for an unrelated donor for a Paraguayan patient requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Mortality among Guarani Indians in Southeastern and Southern Brazil

Worldwide, indigenous peoples display a high burden of disease, expressed by profound health inequalities in comparison to non-indigenous populations. This study describes mortality patterns among the Guarani in Southern and Southeastern Brazil, with a focus on health inequalities. The Guarani population structure is indicative of high birth and death rates, low median age and low life expectancy at birth. The crude mortality rate (crude MR = 5.0/1,000) was similar to the Brazilian national rate, but the under-five MR (44.5/1,000) and the infant mortality rate (29.6/1,000) were twice the corresponding MR in the South and Southeast of Brazil. The proportion of post-neonatal infant deaths was 83.3%, 2.4 times higher than general population. The proportions of ill-defined (15.8%) and preventable causes (51.6%) were high. The principal causes of death were respiratory (40.6%) and infectious and parasitic diseases (18.8%), suggesting precarious living conditions and deficient health services. There is a need for greater investment in primary care and interventions in social determinants of health in order to reduce the health inequalities.

La micro-región: espacio y tiempo en la cartografía producida por la interacción jesuítico-guaraní

The cultural interaction between the Jesuits and the Guarani Indians appears silently in many of the practices realized in the missionary villages. In some topics a relative adjustment of the priests is visualized like being an Indian custom and in others, is a possible to interpret a process indigenous to reintepretation of their own customs previous to the contact. Regarding the cartography related to the process of configuration of the microregions corresponding to every accession, is a sample of these exchanges.

Survey of geomorphological and hydrogeological data for mapping groundwater vulnerability of the Guarani Aquifer in Portão and Estância Velha/RS using the DRASTIC method

O mapeamento de vulnerabilidade de contaminacao de aguas subterrâneas tem sido amplamente desenvolvido e incluido em planos municipais de gerenciamento ambiental alem de estar referido na Resolucao 396 do CONAMA (Brasil, 2008). Portao e Estância Velha/RS apresentam uma situacao potencial de contaminacao devido a atividade industrial. O Sistema Aquifero Guarani (SAG), na area de estudo, e representado pelos arenitos das Formacoes Piramboia e Botucatu sendo parcialmente confinado pelo Aquifero Serra Geral. Para a construcao deste mapa, foi escolhido o metodo DRASTIC. A pouca profundidade dos niveis de agua subterrânea e a litologia sedimentar sao fatores decisivos para uma vulnerabilidade intermediaria a alta. Os solos foram separados em dominios de acordo com a sua textura. O dominio argissolo 1 indica um comportamento impermeabilizante. Os ensaios de infiltracao e as camadas espessas de argila confirmam a baixa condutividade hidraulica dessa unidade pedologica, constituindo protecao natural do aquifero. Porem, na area de estudo predomina o argissolo 2, mais arenoso. A presenca restrita de argilominerais expansivos aumenta a suscetibilidade do meio. O estudo de risco esta diretamente relacionado a ocupacao de areas de alta vulnerabilidade de contaminacao do aquifero. A eficiencia do mapa esta associada a interdependencia dos parâmetros envolvendo aspectos hidrogeologicos e geomorfologicos. Ficou evidenciado que 25% da area apresenta alto grau de vulnerabilidade; 72,4%, com grau intermediario e, apenas 2,6%, com baixo grau de vulnerabilidade a contaminacao de aguas subterrâneas.

POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS EM CONTEXTOS ESCOLARES INDÍGENAS: REPENSANDO A ALIMENTAÇÃO ESCOLAR

Esta pesquisa teve por objeto a alimentação escolar entre os Mbya Guarani que vivem na Ilha da Cotinha, litoral do Paraná, e foi orientada segundo o objetivo de desenvolver e aplicar instrumentos metodológicos adequados para um melhor conhecimento das circunstâncias nas quais o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) é executado em contextos de populações indígenas. Dessa forma, foi realizada uma etnografia da alimentação escolar procurando refinar e aprimorar a compreensão das implicações da alimentação escolar no cotidiano da comunidade Mbya.