As crenças e costumes da etnia Kanamari. Um relato de experiência com os moradores da comunidade tradicional Taquara

Abstract

This study investigated the cultural resistance and adaptation of the Kanamari people, emphasizing the preservation of their traditions and identity in the face of transformations imposed by modernization and public policies. The research was conducted using an ethnographic approach, which included participant observation and interviews with the community, complemented by bibliographic sources and analyses of the historical and cultural context. Authors such as Maria da Cunha (1992) and Darcy Ribeiro (1962) provided the theoretical framework used. The results showed that the Kanamari managed to preserve their culture through adaptive practices, which were configured as dynamic processes of transformation, and not as a simple loss or erasure of their identity. Although external changes impacted their social organization, the Kanamari reinterpreted elements of modernity in order to incorporate them without compromising the foundations of their culture. The research also demonstrated that these adaptation processes reveal the Kanamari's capacity for agency in maintaining their traditions, even in contexts of external pressures. Regarding public policies, the study highlighted the need for approaches that respect indigenous autonomy and value their forms of organization and cultural expression. Policies should be guided by principles that ensure the preservation of traditions while promoting access to basic citizenship rights. The conclusion emphasized the importance of deepening studies on cultural resistance and adaptation in other indigenous groups in order to better understand the mechanisms by which these communities face the challenges of modernity. The research recommended strengthening long-term ethnographic approaches as an essential tool for accessing and documenting the experiences and strategies of indigenous populations. In this way, it is hoped to contribute to the formulation of more inclusive public policies that are sensitive to the cultural specificities of indigenous peoples, reinforcing their autonomy and promoting intercultural dialogue. In short, the study reaffirmed the cultural resilience of the Kanamari as an example of active resistance, highlighting the relevance of practices that reconcile modernity and tradition in strengthening their identities.