The intellectuality of the shamanic gaze of Kuriano Yai

memories of Tukano wisdom

Abstract

This article addresses the memories of Tukano wisdom of Mandu Kuriano, who possesses exceptional Tukano faculties as a yai, kumu, and baya. Mandu Kuriano is the father of kumu Luciano Barreto and the grandfather of the indigenous Tukano intellectual, anthropologist Rivelino Barreto. The content presents a dialogue about the grandson's memories of his grandfather Kuriano Yai, with whom he spent time during his childhood in São Domingos Sávio Village, in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas. From this, the text highlights that to understand Tukano epistemology, it is necessary to listen to indigenous intellectuals, who involve specialists with exceptional Tukano faculties. Through the triangle formed by kerti ukusse, barssesse, and barsamori, they present Tukano cosmology and amplify the infinite narratives experienced in these two universes, the physical and the metaphysical.