Conhecimentos tradicionais do cuidado na gestação e no parto das mulheres Kaingangs na terra indígena de Nonoai-RS

Abstract

This work seeks to discuss the importance of rescuing traditional indigenous knowledge about care during pregnancy and childbirth of Kaingang women from indigenous communities in Nonoai-RS. In the past, the monitoring of the pregnancy and childbirth of indigenous women was done by kujãs (midwives), and today it is being carried out by the so-called modern medicine through attendance at health centers. With this research we seek to register the traditional knowledge related to pregnancy and childbirth and to understand the possibilities of their insertion in indigenous school education, articulating biological, social and cultural aspects in an integrated way. Through a qualitative approach, we carried out the analysis of a questionnaire applied to two health professionals who attend the investigated villages and semi-structured interviews with a midwife and six elderly women (Kofás) who had children at home in a natural way. It was observed that it is necessary to promote dialogue between kofas, midwives, health and education professionals, seeking to enable young indigenous people to reflect on their culture related to the monitoring of pregnancy and childbirth. Midwives not only perform childbirth, they accompany the entire pregnancy and intensify their attention in the period close to delivery. This whole process is accompanied by practices that pass from generation to generation and involves the use of herbs, massages, prayers and guidance about the role of the father and family. There is no understanding on the part of midwives and Kófas that doctors are not important during pregnancy, but there is a defense that the work should happen together, bringing together traditional and scientific knowledge are the identity marks of this people and deserve to be valued.