The Guarani Mbya cultural landscape in the indigenous territory of “Boa Vista do Sertão do Prumirim” on de the coast of São Paulo

Abstract

Indigenous lands in Brazil are suggested to be effective for biodiversity conservation. This study focus on investigating the relationship between culture and nature in the Boa Vista Indigenous Land. A landscape analysis was conducted through a focus on the Boa Vista Village, analyzed at this location which are the practices and factors related to forest conservation, by the Guarani-Mbya people. The presence of respectful practices involving partial use of natural resources rooted in a forest conservation worldview. Traditional knowledge, beliefs, and values attributed to the landscape of this place, highlighted a determining role in the indigenous community’s land and use occupation. Stands out: the traditional agricultural, the construction of dwellings in less-valuable areas for protecting native vegetation, and the respect for guardian spirits when entering the forest. It is concluded that the relationship between indigenous peoples and nature in this locality is based on their cosmology along intangible values thus its traditional knowledge and social organization modes underlie the native forest conservation.