A classificação social dos animais em Kaingang aprendida no Kiki dos Bichos

Abstract

In 2002, Aryon Rodrigues published a list of approximately 100 species of wild fauna in the Kaingang, with the classification of each species in the native social categories of the clan sections “Kadnjerú, Kamé, Votoro, Wéjnyký”. Although published in 2002, the material corresponds to notes from his first field research, in 1951. Spurred, apparently by a fortuitous circumstance, the young researcher’s sagacity led him to gather valuable information never repeated by any other researcher to this day. His indigenous collaborator justified the native classification by referring to "their festival" (of the animals) and to the "fandango", circumstances that Rodrigues did not clarify. This article highlights the unique character and inestimable value of this linguistic-anthropological contribution by Aryon Rodrigues, and adds information about the "Kiki do Bichos" (animals' Kiki), the "festival" or "fandango" mentioned by the indigenous elder.