Tukano, Embera, and Achuar (Shiwiar) Supernatural Gamekeepers/Animal Masters: Environmental Impacts of Native Beliefs in a Changing World

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Supernatural Gamekeepers and Animal Masters: A Cross-Cultural Perspective" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This paper investigates the belief in Supernatural Gamekeepers/Animal Masters of wildlife in three South American indigenous societies: the Tukano of Colombia, the Embera of Colombia, and the Achuar of Ecuador. Findings show that Supernatural Gamekeepers/Animal Masters are believed to grant success to hunters who adhere to prescribed restrictions. Specifically, among the Tukano, local petroglyphs and pictographs are believed to be the abode of the Master of Animals. At such rock art locations, Tukano shamans relay hunters’ petitions to this supernatural who grants success to foragers who do not exceed their allotted bag limits. Likewise, among the Embera, shamans mediate between hunters and the Supernatural Gamekeeper who grants success to those who refrain from harvesting in designated "no take" zones. Among the Achuar, a Supernatural Gamekeeper named Amasan grants hunters success as long as they take only what is needed. Findings indicate that belief in Supernatural Gamekeepers/Animal Masters fosters sustainable game harvests. However, as socio-economic and demographic conditions change in the Neotropics, continued belief in Supernatural Gamekeepers/Animal Masters may actually facilitate the overharvesting of wildlife by native peoples.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)   •
• Supernatural Gamekeepers and Animal Masters: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22776