The PRACTICE OF ALTERITY IN THE THINKING OF DAVI KOPENAWA YANOMAMI AND HIS “MAKING UNCOMMONING” TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW TO BE OTHER

Abstract

In this article I propose that the book The falling sky: words of a yanomami shaman (2015), by Davi Kopenawa and Bruce Albert, shows us an alterity relationship, that is, a way of relating to others, quite unique, as it is known, practiced and transmitted through shamanism. I present what it means “becoming other” in Kopenawa's thought, as elaborated in the book, and in its scope. To complement that, I bring some contributions from Joseca Yanomami regarding shamanism, which emphasize characteristics of it practices, particularly what I noticed as a way of dealing with foreignness. In a second moment, I will discuss why, despite being such a fundamental learning experience for Yanomami shamans, there is a refusal by Kopenawa to “becoming” a certain other. Finally, I make these two points of my reading converge to the understanding of the image of Në roperi, the logic of the forest that Kopenawa wants to make us see, feel and know, and how this xapiri’s image synthesizes the tenacious “making uncommoning” of Kopenawa and the foundations of his defense of the forest and its inhabitants.