Spirituality, collectivity and health

dialogues between the guarani medical system and naturology

Abstract

Culture influences directly in the process health-disease. Objective: Based on medical anthropology, this article
intends to describe the knowledge and health practices of the Guarani indigenous village Brilho do Sol, located
in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo; and problematize how the indigenous knowledge can be relevant to naturology.
Methods: the research was developed through bibliographic survey and ethnographic inspired fieldwork.
The healing practices of the Guarani tradition were experienced in field through participant observation
and through interviews with traditional knowledge keepers. The field description followed ethnographic principles.
Afterwards, the data was correlated to naturologic knowledge, allowing the dialogue between this
knowledge and the most relevant aspects of the Guarani cultural health system. Results: We observed that the
Guarani culture prevails a spiritual ethos as a health condition, underscoring the spiritual sphere. Furthermore,
we observed a strong influence of the collective dimension, which shows itself an essential aspect in the healing
process. Final considerations: There is little approach of spirituality in naturology, although it exists at the
base of the main vitals traditional medicines. The Guarani cultural health system contributes with the spiritual
problematic and the implication of collectivity in the healing process in naturology, contributing to its theoretical
framework and therapeutic model.