O museu é coisa de Kokama: museu indígena Kokama e o fortalecimento da identidade étnica

Abstract

This study assumes the purpose of verifying in what sense the indigenous museums contribute to the strengthening of the ethnic identity, giving special importance to the Museu Vivo Antonio Samias, of the Kokama ethnic group, residents in Manaus, as the constitution of memory and production of knowledge. The complexity of two studies on Amazonian culture requires a sensitive eye for the recognition of the initiative to create indigenous museums with the aim of strengthening ethnic identity. Investigating this theme is not an easy task, however, curious to know about the participation of the Kokama people of Manaus, not Amazonas, in the creation of museums, we have been made to perceive how much it is necessary to invest in the data collection for a better understanding of these actions The creation of two museums, the selection of two artifacts and symbolic elements are integrated into the process of reaffirmation of identity, revaluation of knowledge and traditions; In the expansion of political borders in the claim for land and social rights, a logic is opposed to what is proposed by conventional museums. The study based on the contribution of ethnographic research, opened space to qualitative approaches with the application of the semi-structured interview technique together with a sample of residents of the Nova Esperança Kokama community, in addition to their leaders, located in the city of Manaus. The main results reveal that the mythical narrative of Ipira Mama e do jovem garça are authentic expressions of the metamorphosis and hybrid, human-animal identity that springs from the sensibility of the narrative and the imaginary that allows to give life to the miniatures of antas, passaros, hunting instruments , fishing, baskets and ceramics inspired by their memories. It is finally clear that the indigenous museum is a living expression of the memory of the Kokama people embodied in their ethnic identity.