Para além da mão de obra: saberes e conhecimentos indígenas nas missões do Tapajós (XVII-XVIII)

Abstract

This research proposes to analyze the knowledge and knowledge of indigenous peoples in religious missions, mainly those in the lower Amazon. It is based on discussions of New Indigenous History, which aims to value indigenous protagonism in historical processes, analyzing writing from another perspective, that of indigenous peoples. Furthermore, it seeks to dialogue with other areas of knowledge such as Archeology and Anthropology, which have been developing highly important research on the topic. Through documentary research, especially in chronicles and travellers' reports, the aim is to analyze in these reports the practices, skills, techniques and ability to assimilate different languages of the indigenous people. The research has as its starting point the occupation and installations of religious missions in the Amazon (historical context) with an emphasis on indigenous villages along the Tapajós River. Thus, the research analyzes how, despite being used as workers in the colonization processes, indigenous peoples used their knowledge and knowledge in carrying out various activities.