Configuraciones del chamanismo siona: modos de performance en los siglos XX y XXI

Abstract

Based on decades of fieldwork, I explore the reconfigurations of Siona shamanism as a performative genre and cultural performance that expresses ethnic difference in the face of Colonial and post-Colonial violence. Since the 17th century, cycles of epidemics, missionary activities, extractive industries and the armed conflict changed the shaman’s role. The ceremonial leader of the pre-Colonial period reconfigured into the political-sacred (cacique) leader of Siona communities; external forces of the 20th century terminated this role and shamanic activities. Constitutional changes, recognition of indigenous rights and neoshamanic demand for yaje ceremonies revitalized Siona shamanism in the last decade of the 20th century. Shamanic performances have emerged as a key strategy for promoting ethnic distinctiveness in the negotiations between Indigenous communities, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, extractive industries and neoshamanic groups.