Société des Américanistes

Based mainly on press articles, this section groups publications reporting curative strategies implemented by some Amerindian groups to combat covid-19.

 

• La Voz Ucayalina, February 3, 2021, article from the Ucayali online newspaper on the support given by anthropology students of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) to the Shibido care group, the Comando Matico of the city of Pucallpa (Ucayali region). https://www.lavozucayalina.pe/post/organizan-rifa-para-adquirir-furg%C3%B3n-que-atender%C3%A1-emergencias?fbclid=IwAR3e0hWrBq48mltg_-obBr30276c9o8wg3ecf2inyk6tp7gtrZrCB5Xbezg

 

• La Mula, articles by anthropologist Luisa Elvira Belaunde on the creation of a Shipibo-Conibo health group called Comando Mantico, in the city of Pucallpa (Ucayali region).

• 19 May 2020: https://luisabelaunde.lamula.pe/2020/05/19/matico-y-quina-plantas-del-bosque-socorren-a-la-ciudad/luisabelaunde/
• 27 May 2020: https://luisabelaunde.lamula.pe/2020/05/27/matico-descongestiona-trabas-burocraticas-en-la-diresa-ucayali/luisabelaunde/
• 09 June 2020: https://luisabelaunde.lamula.pe/2020/06/09/creacion-de-comando-covid-indigena-en-loreto/luisabelaunde/
• 09 August 2020: https://luisabelaunde.lamula.pe/2020/08/09/comando-matico-en-pucallpa-desafia-la-interculturalidad-inerte-del-estado/luisabelaunde/

 

• Ojo publico, April 15, 2020. Article by Peruvian anthropologist Rodrigo Lazo on the creation of Amerindian health groups to combat Coronavirus. https://ojo-publico.com/1755/un-comando-intercultural-para-frenar-el-covid-19-en-la-amazonia?fbclid=IwAR3L13b4iWnmzD9wBkre94lDXpjU9iME2ZA5rnCVt_fs-dnnIEwabYMU7Qw

 

• Facebook page of the Comando Matico, which gathers Shipibo people of the Ucayali region who have set up care protocols against Covid-19. https://www.facebook.com/ComandoMatico/

 

• La Voz Ucayalina, March 21, 2021. Article on the requisition of classrooms by a Shipibo teacher to treat Amerindian patients suffering from Covid-19. https://www.lavozucayalina.pe/post/mery-fasabi-docente-que-cambi%C3%B3-las-aulas-por-la-atenci%C3%B3n-de-pacientes-con-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR0C0Q_hyzPA5Uskv9Yls3DdYeIonqzbiE07DtSVfqR2gLCDrzmguuuXJ5o

 

• You Tube Channel on the usage of medicinal plants by the Paiter Surui of Rondonia. https://fr.paiter-surui.com/post/canal-no-youtube-sobre-plantas-medicinais-do-povo-paiter-suru%C3%AD

 

• Opinion, February 21, 2021. Article from the Bolivian newspaper Opinion on three Bolivian Amerindian groups (Charazani, Raqaypampa y Charagua) on the isolation techniques and the pharmacopeia used to combat Coronavirus. https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/revista-asi/medicina-natural-aislamiento-receta-indigena-sobrevivir-coronavirus/20210219234826808545.html?fbclid=IwAR3S4O3VwK7FtLPNilPRQat48NEtyvX2xxPbvsdvifEaGlLenNG2KZXBylg

 

Updated 09/29/2021:

The videos gathered below (from foreign and Bolivial media) document the use of medicinal plants (mainly eucalyptus, camomile and wira wira) in the Bolivian Andes.

 

• CAST – Video about local and Western medicine’s complementary relationship – Associated Press (USA press agency) –  29/01/21 – 1m24 Bolivia impulsa la medicina tradicional contra COVID-19 – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUMiCZhdyUo

 

• CAST – Short documentary film about the use of plants against Covid 19 (eucalyptus, camolile, wira wira) – DW-TV (German public television) – 18/01/21 – 3m39 Los límites de la medicina tradicional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3FFc1IzylQ

 

• CAST – Video about medicinal plants (eucalypthis, camomile) – France 24 – 31/08/20 – 1m54 Las plantas medicinales, aliadas de los bolivianos en la pandemia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrdanKBRH7Q

 

• CAST – Documentary video about the use of eucalyptus, camomile and wira wira against Covid 19 – Testigo Directo, Bernabé Lopez, 24/04/20 – 6m07 https://www.bernabelopez.com/eucalipto-wira-wira-manzanilla-segun-yerbateras-la-triada-de-plantas-para-combatir-el-covid-19/

 

• CAST – Article about the use of eucalyptus, camomile and wira wira against Covid 19 – El Universo (Ecuateur) – 23/04/20 https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2020/04/23/nota/7821606/eucalipto-wira-wira-manzanilla-se-previene-covid-19-bolivia/

 

• CAST – Documentary video about preventive measures against Covid 19 (eucalyptus, camomile, wira wira ) – AFP – 17/04/20 – 2m21 Bolivianos buscan atajar el coronavirus con plantas medicinales ancestrales | AFP – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89WPgUJeCJ0

 

• US NEWS, October 8^th 2020. “A Native American Clinic Gives Doses of Cultural Healing During COVID-19” is about the role elders from tribal communities living in Minneapolis in Minnesota have played in Covid 19 patients’ recovery. Web link: https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2020-10-08/minneapolis-medical-clinic-embraces-native-american-cultural-healing-during-coronavirus

This section provides information about the daily lives of Amerindians established in urban centers, in the context of the sanitary crisis.

 

• La Mula, May 11, 2020. Article by Luisa Elvira Belaunde on the impacts of Covid-19 on the Shipibo community of Cantagallo, Lima. https://luisabelaunde.lamula.pe/2020/05/11/cantagallo-un-refugio-shipibo-konibo-asediado-por-el-coronavirus/luisabelaunde/

 

• Ojo publico, December 14, 2020. Article recounting the difficulties of Amerindian students established in Lima. The pandemic has strongly impacted their schooling, leading to high dropout rates. https://ojo-publico.com/2330/beca-18-el-43-de-indigenas-no-logra-concluir-estudios

 

• Ojo publico, May 20, 2020. The article evokes the impressive infection rates as well as the extremely harsh living conditions in the Amerindian community of Cantagallo, in Lima. https://ojo-publico.com/1821/voces-desde-el-bloqueo-el-encierro-shipibo-en-cantagallo

 

Updated 09/29/2021:

• Amazônia Real, April 16^th 2020. Article by journalist Elaíze Farias about the invisibilization of Native Americans living in cities from the epidemiological statistics in Brazilian state of Amazonas. Web link: https://amazoniareal.com.br/coronavirus-indigenas-que-vivem-na-cidade-sao-classificados-como-brancos-no-amazonas/

 

This section looks back at the territorial and social pressures induced by the sudden resurgence of extractive and economic activities in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (oil and mineral extraction, gold mining, logging, drug trafficking, etc.).

 

• DAR, March 31, 2021. This note shows the concerns of several Amerindian federations of the Peruvian Amazon in the face of the extractive industries which, by lack of sanitary protocols, contribute to the transmission of the Coronavirus on the indigenous territories. https://dar.org.pe/reactivacion-economica-en-marcha-exige-priorizar-un-enfoque-sostenible-y-de-participacion-de-las-comunidades-indigenas/

 

• DAR, April 24, 2020. The text evokes the conditions of the recovery of the economic activities in Peru, and is concerned about a stated desire from the government to lighten several environmental norms deemed restrictive. https://dar.org.pe/infraestructuraparalavida-i-condiciones-y-oportunidades-para-incentivos-y-sanciones-ambientales-en-proyectos-de-transportes/  

 

• DAR, May 13, 2020. This note goes into detail about Decree 1500, which in May 2020 announced the restart of hydrocarbon extraction in the Peruvian Amazon. Among other things, some of the rules for citizen consultation were changed. https://dar.org.pe/no-se-incluye-voz-y-voto-del-ministerio-de-salud-para-la-reactivacion-de-proyectos-de-inversion/

 

• Ojo publico, March 13, 2021. The article deals with the assassinations of Amerindian leaders that have multiplied in the Peruvian Amazon since the start of the pandemic. https://ojo-publico.com/2558/amazonia-denuncian-asesinato-de-lideresa-ashaninka-en-junin

 

• Ojo Publico, September 16, 2020. This three-part investigation looks at the territorial threats to Amerindian communities, which have been reinforced by the pandemic. https://ojo-publico.com/2104/defender-sin-miedo-proteger-los-bosques-durante-la-pandemia

 

• Daliri Oropeza, “El Tren Maya y la resistencia en tiempos de pandemia”, May 31, 2020. In this journalistic account, Daliri Oropeza describes the main effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the seaside towns and indigenous territories of the Yucatán Peninsula. Amerindian villages have closed their doors to foreigners, hotels have laid off thousands of Mayan workers, and the national government’s flagship infrastructure project continues despite health restrictions. https://piedepagina.mx/el-tren-maya-y-la-resistencia-en-tiempos-de-pandemia/

 

Updated 07/12/2021:

• CHASE IRON EYES, May 7 2020. “El COVID-19 y la crisis climática son amenazas entrelazadas para los nativos americanos y la Tierra”. Lakota civil rights activist Chase Iron Eyes highlights the close links between the health crisis and the environmental crisis rocking the planet. Access on the web: https://www.ehn.org/coronavirus-native-americans-2645923635/leaders-oblivious-to-science-and-indigenous-wisdom

 

• NICK ESTES & KIM TALLBEAR, 3 de junio de 2020. “Resistencia indígena contra los oleoductos durante una pandemia” is a virtual conference by two indigenous academics who discuss lessons from past indigenous activist movements to fight oil extraction during the pandemic. Access on the web: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/168-indigenous-resistance-against-oil-pipelines-during-a-pandemic 

 

Updated 08/10/2021:

• Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America, (PDF file) SALSA Statement Condemning Brazil’s Proposed Law #490/2007

 

Updated 09/29/2021:

• CHASE IRON EYES, May 7^th 2020. “COVID-19 and the climate crisis are intertwined threats to Native Americans and the Earth”. Chase Iron Eyes, Lakota activist for civil rights underscores the close links between the sanitary and the environmental crisis that affects the world. Web link: https://www.ehn.org/coronavirus-native-americans-2645923635/leaders-oblivious-to-science-and-indigenous-wisdom

 

• NICK ESTES & KIM TALLBEAR, June 3^rd 2020. “Indigenous Resistance Against Oil Pipelines During a Pandemic” is an online conference where two Native American researchers discuss lessons to be learned from passed Native American military movements against oil extraction during a pandemic. Web link: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/168-indigenous-resistance-against-oil-pipelines-during-a-pandemic

 

• Instituto Socioambiental, September 9^th 2020. Article by an indigenist and ecologist NGO about the use of traditional medecin by Native American women from the Upper Rio Negro (Brazilian Amazon) to cope with Covid-19 pandemic. Web link: https://www.socioambiental.org/pt-br/noticias-socioambientais/mulheres-indigenas-do-rio-negro-compartilham-conhecimentos-de-remedios-tradicionais-contra-a-covid-19

This section provides information on the increase in the number of proselytizing activities carried out among Amerindians in the context of the health crisis.

• Carta capital, April 15, 2020. Article by Felipe Milanez on the attempts of missionaries from the New Tribe Mission to enter the indigenous territories of Brasil in the wake of the pandemic. https://www.cartacapital.com.br/sociedade/indigenas-vao-a-justica-contra-missionarios-na-amazonia-para-impedir-genocidio/

• Mongabay, April 4, 2020. The story is about an evangelical pastor’s attempt to enter into contact with uncontacted indigenous people in Brazil. https://es.mongabay.com/2020/04/brasil-pastor-evangelico-pueblos-indigenas-coronavirus/

 

Series of reports on anti-vaccine campaigns led by evangelical missionaries. In these investigations, we discover that some actors of the protestant proselytizing movement spread false information about vaccines to convince Amerindians to reject them.

• BBC News, March 22, 2021: https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/brasil-56433811
• Epoca Globo, January 29, 2021: https://epoca.globo.com/brasil/pastores-afastam-indigenas-da-vacinacao-relatam-liderancas-24860509
• Amazonia Real, January 05,2021: https://amazoniareal.com.br/caos-na-pandemia-indigenas-viram-alvo-de-fake-news-antivacina/
• Acritica, February 11, 2021: https://www.acritica.com/channels/coronavirus/news/pastores-invadem-aldeias-com-mitos-e-atrapalham-vacinacao-de-indigenas-no-am

This section focuses on populations in “voluntary isolation” in the context of the pandemic. Because of their long-standing isolation, these groups remain extremely vulnerable to infectious and viral diseases.

 

• SERVINDI, May 30, 2020. Interview with Peruvian anthropologist Beatríz Huertas Castillo on the legal reforms aimed at amending the intangibility of territorial reserves housing populations in “voluntary isolation” and “initial contact” (Pueblos Indígenas en Aislamiento Voluntario y Contacto Inicial – PIACI). https://www.servindi.org/actualidad-entrevistas/29/05/2020/beatriz-huertas-la-reivindicacion-de-la-intangibilidad-busca

• CHACRUNA, March 24, 2020. Article by anthropologist Glenn Shepard on “voluntary isolation in the age of Coronavirus”. https://chacruna.net/voluntary-isolation-in-the-age-of-coronavirus/

• La Mula, May 18, 2020. Article by the anthropologist Luis Felipe Lopez on the risks incurred by the populations in “voluntary isolation” in the region of Madre de Dios (Peru), and on the measures that the State would be susceptible to adopt to reinforce their protection against the Coronavirus. https://inkenishiku.lamula.pe/2020/05/18/estrategias-indigenas-y-politicas-publicas-durante-la-pandemia-del-covid-19-en-la-amazonia-peruana-el-caso-de-madre-de-dios/lufelipeis/

This section refers to various reports that focus on photography. The works mentioned illustrate in particular the therapeutic practices of the Shipibo-Konibo population of the Peruvian Amazon.

• Ojo Publico

• July 14, 2020: https://ojo-publico.com/1955/los-shipibo-konibo-se-refugian-en-las-plantas
• February 2, 2021: https://ojo-publico.com/especiales/dialogoconlasplantas/

• El país, March 21, 2021: https://elpais.com/planeta-futuro/2021-03-22/el-pueblo-que-habla-con-las-plantas.html?fbclid=IwAR0UxZS_ZXDVu0afNcgAr0rgmV3hNHV9tSCeDXVEIcPJD-sGf58YLZ1M-H0

• El país, March 21, 2021, interactive portfolio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nboo3CyAhzI&ab_channel=ElPa%C3%ADs

• Peruvian Ministry of health (MINSA). Overview of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the Peruvian Amazon by ethnic group. Figures frequently updated. https://www.dge.gob.pe/portalnuevo/informacion-publica/sala-de-poblacion-indigena-con-covid-19/

 

Updated 09/29/2021:

• AYM – Video about the vaccination campaign in La Paz (interval between doses, common side effects, campaign’s promotion on a national scale) – SEDES (Servicio Departamental de Salud) – 23/03/21 – 1m22 SEDES La Paz en aymara: La vacuna contra el COVID19 es segura, gratuita, voluntaria y equitativa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffFffyCcomU

This section lists the institutional publications offering translations of the sanitary guidelines in vernacular languages.

Mexico

• Secretaria de Cultura, didactic material (texts, audios, videos) translated into numerous Mexican Amerindian languages: https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/materiales_de_prevencion_covid-19/index.html

Peru

• Unicef, audio files offering guidelines in Ashaninka, Awajun, Aymara, Quechua and Shipibo. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Tb-7TzfmzxKjVZi3gt9cPc_uyQD9ajda
• see also: https://www.unicef.org/peru/comunicados-prensa/microinformativos-en-cinco-lenguas-originarias-prevencion-coronavirus

 

Peruvian Ministry of culture:

• Audio files of the sanitary guidelines in Ticuna, Shipibo, Quechua, Awajun, Ashaninka, Aymara, Yine, Yanesha, Wampis, Amahuaca, Bora, Cashinahua, Jaqaru, Kichwa, Matsigenga, Nomatsigenga, Ocaina, Shawi, Yagua, Kakataibo, Achuar, Urarina. https://centroderecursos.cultura.pe/es/covid-19/recomendaciones/spotsradiales

• Centro de recursos, the website offers graphic guidelines in indigenous languages.  https://centroderecursos.cultura.pe/es/covid-19/recomendaciones/materialgrafico

• Animated micro-series « Yo me quedo en mi comunidad » in indigenous languages, explaining the guidelines to combat the pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKccj0vVExgonFnJWN480Tw/video

 

Updated 09/29/2021:

• AYM – Covid 19 safety announcement in preparation for the Andean New Year celebration – Servicio de Salud Arica (Chile) – 17/06/21 – 0m30 Prevención del covid-19 en aymara Mara T’aqa 2021 en Campaña radial Pueblos Indígenas en mp3(17/06 a las 17:55:28) 00:30 71582831 – iVoox https://www.ivoox.com/prevencion-del-covid-19-aymara-mara-t-aqa-2021-audios-mp3_rf_71582831_1.html
• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video (instructions and plant use) – UNICEF Bolivia – 15/01/21 – 1m32 Botiquín básico para atención del COVID-19 – En aymara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5L9XyqPi9Q

• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video, messages delivered in Aymara by Bolivian celebrities – Solo Derecho (portail juridique) – 08/01/21 – 1m33 Un mensaje en AYMARA para seguir luchando contra el COVID-19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO_EOx3cGms

• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video, Tarapaca (Chile) – SEREMI (Ministerio de Salud de Chile) – 31/12/20 – 1m32 Prevención del Covid comunidad aymara / 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7KbLmpl6ss

• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video – Gobierno Autonomo Municipal de El Alto – 31/07/20 – 0m51 MENSAJE DE PREVENCIÓN CONTRA EL COVID-19 – AYMARA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF0rpTloUnQ

• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video – Edwin Juaniquina, Sandra Ajata y Elías Ajata diffusion FUNPROEIB Andes (facebook – shared by Brigida P.), Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (Youube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHzRcV3rQEk)– 11/07/20 – 4m53 Vidéo prévention covid https://fb.watch/6ccraTcxrV/
• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video – AOPEB – 26/05/20- 2m31 – Cómo prevenir el coronavirus o COVID-19,  (Aymara) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWZEiHsiA6s

• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video – Bolivia videos (Youtube channel) – 31/03/20 – 2m19 CORONAVIRUS EN AYMARA – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMcUDThUkww

• AYM – Covid 19 safety information video – UNICEF Bolivia – 27/03/20 – 1m20 UNICEF Bolivia – Cómo prevenir el coronavirus en aimara – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMSOLuGgMMQ

• AYM/CAST – Covid 19 safety information video – Justicia TV – 09/03/20 – 1m57 PJ: PREVENCIÓN DE SALUD CONTRA CORONAVIRUS (Aymara) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOktTDJ94kI

• AYM – Covid 19 explanatory video – SEDES La Paz – 03/03/20 – 0m32 Spot MEDIDAS PREVENTIVAS (CORONAVIRUS) COVID-19 AYMARA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pP9MI10hgE

 

• Instituto Socioambiental, April 2020. Two articles from a Brazilian indigenist and ecologist NGO about relaying safety information in Native American language in São Gabriel da Cachoeira (Amazonas-Brazil):

• https://www.socioambiental.org/pt-br/noticias-socioambientais/no-alto-rio-negro-cartilha-em-idiomas-indigenas-orienta-combate-a-covid-19
• https://www.socioambiental.org/pt-br/noticias-socioambientais/alerta-parente-carro-de-som-percorre-sao-gabriel-da-cachoeira-com-mensagens-de-combate-a-covid-19