Entre deslocamentos e fronteiras: autoetnografia Tariana sobre o cuidado ao povo Hupda no Alto Rio Negro

Abstract

This study analyzes the challenges faced by the Hupda people in accessing healthcare services in an urban context within the municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas. Drawing on a situated autoethnography conducted by an Indigenous social worker from the Tariano people, the dissertation aims to understand, through critical reflection, the linguistic, interethnic, and urban barriers that affect the Hupda’s healthcare journey across different levels of care. The findings highlight, among other aspects, the significant difficulties posed by language barriers, as well as the lack of Hupda professionals within care settings, including those integrated into the specialized Indigenous health policy itself. It notes that certain ethnic groups, when requiring specialized treatment outside their traditional territories and cultural contexts, encounter additional vulnerabilities. The study concludes with the urgent need to extend the rights already established in Indigenous health beyond conventional territories. This work does not signify the end of the pursuit of these rights; instead, it emphasizes the urgency of recognizing Indigenous medicines and promoting intercultural training for health professionals as essential measures for delivering differentiated, respectful, and effective care.