Adana Omágua Kambeba: Integrating Indigenous Healing and Medicine in Brazil
Adana Omágua Kambeba is a Brazilian doctor training to become a shaman, integrating traditional Indigenous healing with modern medicine. Despite facing skepticism and prejudice, she pursued medical education, graduated from a prestigious university, and now aims to provide healthcare to Kambeba communities while undergoing shamanic trials. Adana advocates for Indigenous voices in health discussions and works to reconcile cultural perspectives in medicine.
Adana Omágua Kambeba, a Brazilian doctor, began receiving requests for advice from adults during her childhood, showcasing her unique connection with plants and spirituality. At adulthood, her grandmother revealed that she had inherited a legacy of healers and shamans from her Kambeba lineage, fostering a belief in her destined path in medicine. Adana reflects, “She saw strong signs in me. These signs have always led me to believe I didn’t choose medicine, I was chosen by it.”
Despite her aspirations, Adana faced skepticism from her father, who believed medicine was only for the affluent. However, her unwavering faith guided her through doubts and enabled her to integrate both medical practice and shamanism. This dual pursuit aims to address the conflicts within Indigenous healthcare.
Adana, known in Portuguese as Danielle Soprano Pereira, represents a burgeoning generation of Indigenous scholars benefiting from affirmative action policies in Brazil. In 2012, she journeyed 4,000 kilometers to Belo Horizonte for a place at the prestigious Federal University of Minas Gerais, securing a spot in a predominantly elite medical school. Adana recalls, “I learned first-hand that prejudice can be covert. It can come with a smile.”
Experiencing discomfort and even hostility among her peers, she faced challenges related to time management in the rigorous medical program. Respecting her own pace became vital despite the institution’s demands, leading to an intense period of self-reflection. Adana experienced a pivotal moment, stating, “Something inside me said, ‘This is your mission. Never doubt it.’”
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her studies, yet she served as an emergency worker in Belo Horizonte and Manaus. Graduating in March 2022, she commemorated a significant achievement as an Indigenous woman within a historically exclusive academic environment. “It was a historic moment. Those directors would never have imagined a black man in their seat, nor an Indigenous woman graduating there,” she noted.
Her career spans work in maternity and emergency facilities, but she recently shifted focus towards serving over 30 Kambeba communities along the Amazon River. Her initiatives will encompass medical care, healthcare workshops, and her training as a pajé, a spiritual healer, through transformative rituals involving ayahuasca.
Adana actively participates in forums, delivering her messages regarding Indigenous rights and the need for cultural reconciliation in healthcare. During a presentation at a conference, she emphasized that Indigenous voices must be acknowledged in discussions about ancestral knowledge. “Indigenous people are not invited to the conversation, and nature is seen as if it were here to serve us. It is not,” she declared.
In Brazil, a specific healthcare subsystem for Indigenous populations was established in 1999 to respect their cultural practices. However, doctors like Luiza Garnelo emphasize the disparity within this framework that hinders Indigenous professionals’ participation in creating new care methods. Moreover, conflicts frequently arise between biomedical practices and Indigenous healing traditions, affecting patient treatment and decision-making.
Adana shared an account illustrating these conflicts, where Indigenous beliefs influenced medical decisions, proving the significance of bridging these healthcare perspectives. She successfully mediated a case involving an Indigenous child requiring urgent treatment against opposing familial beliefs, demonstrating her unique position as both a doctor and an aspiring pajé.
Adana continues her training under two shamans and aims to unify her dual legacies by celebrating her success with both medical professionals and shamans. This journey embodies her mission to harmonize modern and Indigenous healing practices.
Adana Omágua Kambeba exemplifies the fusion of traditional Indigenous healing and modern medicine, navigating a remarkable journey that addresses healthcare disparities. Despite facing prejudice and systemic challenges, her resolve has led her to graduate as a doctor while training to become a spiritual leader. Through her work, she aims to bridge the gap between Indigenous beliefs and biomedical practices for a more culturally inclusive approach to healthcare, fostering understanding and collaboration.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
