O uso de animais na medicina tradicional Munduruku no tratamento e cura de doenças (zooterapia)

Abstract

This study describes the use of animals in traditional Munduruku medicine. The field research was carried out in an indigenous community of the aforementioned ethnic group, located two hours by sterndrive engine, and forty-five minutes by 40Hp outboard engine, in the municipality of Jacareacanga, located on the right bank of the Alto Tapajós River, in the southwest from Pará. Data collection on Munduruku zootherapy took place in January 2021, obtained through interviews with the participation of 12 Munduruku informants, 8 women and 4 men, aged between 40 and 70 years. The interview contained closed and open questions, informal conversations focusing on the research objective. The following selection criteria were adopted, only native specialists with greater knowledge of zootherapeutic practices (use of animals) were selected, such as shamans, handlers, midwives and healers. As for the exclusion criteria, being under 18 years old and not having popular recognition of traditional practices were considered. Seventeen ethnospecies of animals used in the traditional system of the Munduruku population were registered, distributed in 04 categories of animals, such as mammals (7), reptiles (4), invertebrates (3), birds (2), and fish (1). Indicated in the treatment of respiratory diseases, pneumonia, asthma, flu, circulatory and heart diseases, among others such as stroke, stroke, rheumatism, and sucuri lard is widely used as a healing agent, and in addition to being used by women during pregnancy. These faunistic resources are indicated by the pajé and other holders of knowledge in the village. The results reveal the presence of zootherapy among the Munduruku population. According to Silva et al (2003), since diseases affect the daily lives of the economically less favored layers of society. Popular knowledge and practices can contribute both to pharmacological research and to the understanding of relationships with natural resources and their conservation (SILVA et al., 2003).