Ancestral knowledge and food practices: the silent resistance of the Kaingang in the Ivaí Indigenous Territory [Paraná State, Brazil]
The silent resistance of the Kaingang in the Ivaí Indigenous Territory [Paraná State, Brazil]
Abstract
This article aims to present the results of research on the dietary practices of the Kaingang living in the Terra Indígena Avaí (Avaí Indigenous Territory), State of Paraná, Brazil, prioritizing traditional ingredients and preparation methods. The first phase of the study was exploratory, including literature and document review. The second phase, empirical, involved data collection through open-ended interviews and observation, both structured around ten items. Five members of the indigenous community were interviewed, sharing information about their meals, which include plants and fruits gathered from the remaining forests in their territory, proteins from hunting and fishing, and describing ancestral preparation techniques. Recurrent ingredients include corn, cassava, pork, and dishes such as pixé, emí, and égoro. The results indicate that the Kaingang strive to keep their traditional dietary practices alive, even under adverse conditions, and that preserving biodiversity in their territory is part of their identity.
