Etnoentomologia Baniwa: estudo dos insetos na concepção dos povos Baniwa que vivem na cidade de São Gabriel da Cachoeira - Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

Ethnoentomology is a subarea of ethnosciences that seeks to understand how different human societies perceive, identify, classify, denominate, use and know what they mean by "bug" in their languages and cultures. The Baniwa (as used in this study, this term refers to the Baniwa and Coripaco groups who occupy the Içana region and have marital relations between them) have the privilege of being one of the peoples that has been most studied by anthropologists and linguists. Various references to insect names appear in mythical narratives, lexical lists and the Baniwa-Curripaco dictionary. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to identify traditional Baniwa knowledge about insects, trying to identify construction methods of such knowledge, their main characteristics and differences between people from different clans, genders and religions. In this context, the Baniwa Entomological Knowledge (BEK) was investigated by means of the speech of Baniwa residents in the town of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, in northwestern Amazonia. The study was conducted in three peri-urban communities located along the Camanaus road (Areal, Itacoatiara-Mirim and Vila Amazonino). Structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted with total of 46 adult participants of both sexes. The data were obtained with emphasis on three aspects of the BEK: the teaching-learning process, general aspects (identification, nomenclature and classification of insects) and specific aspects (economic and ecological importance, nomenclature of the external morphology of insects and differences between BEKs). Baniwa recognize the ecological, morphological and ethological aspects, different stages of development, reproduction, seasonality patterns, habitat, family relationships and even cultural aspects of insects. The ethnoclassification has origins in mythical stories and was constructed through individual experiences and between human groups along rivers, streams and interfluves in the Içana basin. This research was recorded 280 different names of insects classified into 17 categories of general classification for living creatures, relating to 21 Insecta orders. For Baniwa agriculturists living in the town of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, insects are important as an alternative source of protein, fishing lures and natural medicines, also they are also mentioned in blessings, beliefs and games. Such knowledgements is important as a guide to the Baniwa‟s life, helps in fishing activities, provides medical and protein resources, mantains recreational uses and even gains importance in mythical stories and blessings made by Baniwa elders.