Shamanism and the Cincept of Nature in Western Amazonia

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The development of the Amazon Basin is rapidly advancing especialy in the western Amazonia.In this research, we focused on the key persons of environmental and social problems, such as shamans, magical healers, medicine men, and missionaries.Though some of the indigenous people we researched live in the remote areas, we could collect valuable data in spite of our relatively short stay.The major ethnic groups studied were as follows : the Satere-Maue of Rio Andira, the Kulina of lower and upper Rio Jurua, the Kaxinawa of upper Rio Jurua, the oriental Tucano of Sao Gabriel da Cachoeria, the Katukina of Rio Bia, the Matis and Canamari of Rio Javari, and the Kampa of upper Rio Jurua.As for the non-indigenous societies, the following areas and communities were researched : Tabatinga/Leticia, iquitos, Rio Negro, upper Rio Jurua, upper Rio Purus, and communities of the Doctorine of Santo Daime such as Ceu do Mapia.Shamanistic rituals and songs were registered among the Kulina and Kaxinawa, while the shamanistic incantations of the Tucano were recorded and translated into Portugese. Activities of magical healers (medicine men) called curandeiro/curandero were researched in Leticia.The use of hallucinatory plants was investigated widely by many members in various ethnic groups and religious communities.The activities of FUNAI (National Foundation of Indian, Brazil), Catholic organizations such as CIMI and OPAN were also picked up by some members in relation to the religous activities of indigenous people.In order to understand environmental views of ethnic groups, drawing method was also applied among others.