Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LEANDRO GUIMARAES RIBEIRO

THE MORTUARY AMAZON THROUGH THE TRAVEL NARRATIVES OF SPIX AND MARTIUS ABOUT INDIGENOUS BURIALS IN THE CAPTAINITY OF RIO NEGRO (1819-1820).

Indigenous mortuaty practices; Rio Negro; Travelers; Spix & Martius.

Between 1819 and 1820, renowned naturalists Johann von Spix and Carl von Martius embarked on an expedition through the vast captaincy of Rio Negro. During this journey, in addition to detailed observations of the rich fauna, flora and geography of the region, the Germanic duo also dedicated themselves to recording the intricate cultural aspects of the different indigenous groups they encountered along the way. Among these cultural aspects, mortuary practices stand out, which were meticulously documented by explorers in relation to ten native peoples, who differed mainly due to their linguistic affiliation. The reports produced by travelers’ highlighted peculiarities and significant variations between mortuary practices, both between groups belonging to the same linguistic family and among those who did not share such linguistic affinity. The analysis of these accounts not only presents a detailed understanding of the rites of passage of these indigenous communities, but also provides valuable insights into the cultural complexities and diversities present in the Rio Negro region during the 19th century. In addition to describing these mortuary rituals, this study also seeks to contextualize them within the broader framework of intercultural relations and power dynamics of the time. It is important to consider how travelers' notes may have inadvertently influenced the process of concealment or subordination of the indigenous "Other" as conceptualized by modern decolonial scholars. By critically examining these historical records, we can glimpse not only the cultural richness of the indigenous peoples of the Rio Negro, but also the ways in which the Eurocentric gaze can distort or obscure their practices and traditions.