Скачать или смотреть Coming-of-age ritual of an Amazon tribe

The Sateré-Mawé are an indigenous group in the Brazilian Amazon, particularly in the states of Amazonas and Pará. Known as the "Children of the Guaraná," they were the first people to cultivate and domesticate guaraná, a native plant with high caffeine content, used traditionally for energy and medicinal purposes. Guaraná has become both a cultural symbol and a source of economic empowerment for the Sateré-Mawé, who now sell it as a sustainably harvested product in the global market.


The Sateré-Mawé have a deep connection to their natural environment, which shapes their worldview and practices. They live in a communal society that emphasizes respect for nature and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Among their significant cultural traditions is the "Tucandeira" ritual, where young men must endure painful ant stings as a rite of passage into adulthood, symbolizing strength and resilience.


Today, the Sateré-Mawé face challenges from deforestation, land encroachment, and other environmental threats. Nonetheless, they actively work to preserve their culture and biodiversity, often collaborating with NGOs to protect their land and resources. Their efforts emphasize both cultural survival and environmental conservation in one of the world's most critical ecosystems.


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