Narrativas dos Tua`uhez da aldeia Novo Funil sobre a história e cultura do povo Tenetehar/Guajajara: fortalecimento para a identidade cultural

Abstract

The narratives of the tua`uhez (elder in Guajajara language) are essential for the transmission of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. It is from these narratives that we learn about their histories and cultures and that happens oraly. Through them, the tua`uhez pass on all their knowledge to a new generation, strengthening the cultural identity of their people. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the contributions of the Tua`uhez’s narratives about history and culture to the cultural strengthening of the Guajajara people. We based our research on the ethnographic approach, which allows occasional descriptions of the daily life of a culture or group, aiming to understand the object in its multiple dimensions, in a qualitative approach. Our interlocutors were the tua`uhez, young people and teachers from the Kwarahy Indigenous School. We used interviews based on axes related to both the research objectives and the interlocutors. The research was carried out in the Novo Funil village, Araribóia indigenous land, in Amarante municipality, Maranhão State. The investigation allowed us to learn about the history and culture of the Guajajara people. Furthermore, it was possible to verify that young people no longer pay due attention to the moments of listening to tua`uhez’s narratives which is the main form of transmission of indigenous knowledge. Moreover, school, as a teaching and learning space, does not address indigenous histories and cultures. The research also pointed out that the teachers do not have mastery of their people ́s origin myth. As a result, a textbook was written for the Novo Funil village school, containing a description of myth and rites, which we believe serves as a productive pedagogical resource. With this paper, we conclude that myths and rituals are ceasing to exist, precisely due to the lack of knowledge of those who remain after the departure of the tua`uhez. Hence, more than ever this knowledge needs to be valued, not only by those who transmit it, but, even more, by those who learn.