Economia Mbya: formas econômicas na experiência nativa

Abstract

This thesis has the objective of investigating the economic forms Mbya based on the literature about Guarani collective. Beginning with the comment about “production” and “consume” practices like mentioned in the Guarani ethnography, it´ll demonstrate how the “economic forms” are ways to create and keep the social relations not only between humans but also with some categories of non-humans, relations expressed in a vast social network in which Mbya and other subjects take part. Methodologically the research was based on many ethnographies, that include a vast geographical area from Espírito Santo state to Rio Grande do Sul, indicating singular local conjunctures. Throughout the thesis we tried to show the “agricultural” Guarani´s ‘images’ and the strong “hunt” symbolism, expressing that both have great importance on the Mbya practices orientation. This issue, finally, makes us believe in the suggestion that Guarani people are, at the same time, ‘agricultural labourers’ and ‘hunters’, ideologically articulating gift and predation.