Etno-ornitologia y ecocosmología: las aves tronadoras entre los nivaclé

Abstract

The nonexistence of a fundamental discontinuity between Human and Non Human worlds leads to analytical awareness of possible neutral elements and potential ruptures between them. Nivaclé eco-cosmology morphologically identifies Thunderbirds with aquatic birds. Knowledge incorporated through Thunderbirds (Fanjás) Spirit-chants is therefore analyzed. In a random and malleable environment this knowledge becomes particularly important not only in daily life experience but also in mythical and ritual contexts. Nivaclé classification of aquatic birds is thus reconstructed in order to track links between Humans and Fanjás as environmental change operators and atmospheric phenomena. From the native point of view, Fanjás Spirit-chants manage a form of symbolic control of fundamental features of a fragile environment.