Human Relations with Wildlife, Forests, and Rivers Defining Ribeirinho’s and Extractivist Identities in the Amazonian Xingu River, Pará, Brazil

Abstract

Traditional knowledge has been transmitted between generations in Ribeirinho’s and extractivist’s communities in the Amazon, but this sociocultural and ecological identity is not yet socially and academically well-known, which leads to the new generations not being interested in continuing to live in the forest. In an attempt to strengthen the valorization of this identity and its continuity in the Amazon, a study based on cultural ecology was carried out in the Xingu River Extractivist Reserve. Seven analytical categories were identified, representing interactions between elements of culture and the environment, and behavioral patterns adapted to sociocultural changes and the consequences of changes in culture. The following were highlighted: (i) the disappearance of wooden handicrafts; (ii) the ongoing nutritional transition, with a strong influence from the foreign market for processed food products; and (iii) the use of natural remedies, made from medicinal forest plants, maintained by some of the residents. On the other hand, subsistence hunting is still quite alive, as is fishing, whose main characteristics have changed, however, due to alterations in the river cycles by anthropogenic action. We suggest the description of Ribeirinho and/or extractivist identity can contribute with better insights for the residents of the extractivist reserves themselves, which is fundamental for supporting the development of public policies, differentiated school education and the valorization of this identity by new generations. This is essential if the Amazon rainforest is to remain standing, with traditional populations living sustainably from the natural resources of the forest and the river.