Visões ticuna do corpo humano, das doenças e dos medicamentos: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculose e Malária

Abstract

The main purpose of this dissertation is to focus on the Ticuna vision of the human body, on diseases and remedies, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. So as to reach its main goal, we considered data and material collected during field research carried out in two Ticuna indigenous communities located in different counties in the state of Amazonas : the Vila Betania community, in the municipality of Santo Antonio de Içá/AM; and the Nova Filadélfia community, in Benjamin Constant/AM. The perspective considered in this research is that of an intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogue, having language as its center point. Since language is central to this research, many interviews have been included, materially presented, so that we may better clarify the Ticuna point of view on the human body, and on diseases and remedies, especially those transmissible. The interviews were also used to consider the linguistic strategies applied when certain diseases are spoken, or not spoken about, in Ticuna. The analysis done and the conclusions reached show important aspects on the Ticuna vision of the human body, of diseases and remedies, which may be made part of a set of interdisciplinary actions with special attention towards health. This vision does not habitually come to consideration in the actions taken by the State related to health and the Ticuna health agents themselves seem to be unaware of this vision.