Closer looking to tell it right: the climate changes under the views of the forest inhabitants of the of the High Juruá Region

Author(s)

Erika Mesquita

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
• Defense date: 2012-02-27

Examining board members

Mauro William Barbosa de Almeida; Roque de Barros Laraia; Glenn Harvey Shepard Júnior; Laymert Garcia dos Santos; Edilene Coffaci de Lima

• Advisor: Mauro William Barbosa de Almeida

Abstract

The exact sciences are responsible for most of the research being carried out regarding climate changes. The object of this study is to give an anthropological point-of-view to the subject. The main question is: how are the climate changes perceived and lived by the people of the region of high Juruá? Extreme climate events such as unexpected rain and great floods are ingrained in the memory of these forest dwellers. Such memories are transmitted throughout generations. This allows the flooding stories in high Juruá to remain vivid. The climate is very important for the people who live in the forest, as it is a knowledge related to the world and life practical needs. To account for such knowledge, observations from rubber tappers, farmers, and Huni Kuin and Ashaninka people were collected concerning their understanding of the climate and its variations, seasons and forecasts. The result was different ways of looking at the climate changes within their respective outlooks. These groups have developed an understanding about the environment and the climate throughout generations. It is thought that it is part of the anthropology's duty to demonstrate such understanding, making the traditional knowledge about nature visible. Such duty is important, as this is a theme of local and global relevance. It is hoped that this study will be able to contribute to what can be called climate anthropology (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/59254-0 - The perception of rubber tappers on climate changes in the extractivist reserves of Alto Juruá and Chico Mendes, Acre
• Grantee: Érika Mesquita
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate