On ‘Moralistic Therapeutic Deism’ as US Teenagers’ Actual, Tacit, De Facto Religious Faith
April 8, 2016 DOI: 10.4324/9781315604879-13 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Population | Young Manchineri Indians aged 14-24 in Acre state, Brazilian Amazonia |
| Intervention | ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Faith De facto Tacit knowledge |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Shamanic practices among young Manchineri contribute to the creation and maintenance of social networks and trusting relationships, extending beyond their native community to other groups and non-native participants. |
Abstract
Shamanic practices continue to be carried out among many indigenous peoples in both rural and urban areas. This article deals with young Indians aged between 14 and 24 in Brazilian Amazonia and the social networks created by collective shamanic rituals. Specifically, it focuses on the ritualistic use of ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi), a hallucinogenic concoction, among the Manchineri living in Acre state, in the western part of Brazilian Amazonia. The results show that for young Indians shamanic practices are linked to the making of the sacred, morality, as well as social and cultural differentiation, contributing to the creation and maintenance of social networks and trusting relationships. Furthermore, shamanism produces personal relationships and relatedness not only within an individual's native community and its spirit world, but also with representatives from other native groups and non-native participants.