Amazonian Animism: Natural World Annotations in Paleoindian Cave Art

Abstract

Cultures that first settled the Lower Amazon basin in Brazil entered rainforests and caves that were already inhabited, long ago, by owls, bats, frogs, and numerous other animals. The animal activities left natural patterns that informed early cultures about viable locations, navigable paths, and ample resources. Rock Art painted in the Monte Alegre hills of Pará, Brazil, on the banks of the lower Amazon River appears to have annotated some of these locations and natural patterns, not always as direct representational art, but sometimes as animistic and mnemonic symbolism. This chapter presents three ways in which the natural world was revered in animistic rock art at Monte Alegre. The first is through inspirations or decisions for where, in the landscape, to paint in red and yellow hues, which may have been triggered by areas where naturally-occurring red and yellow lichen circles grew on trees and rocks. The second is through “patron” animals drawn, and often personified, at the entrance of caves where the natural animal proliferates. The third is through ritual magic of animal drawings “touched” by painted handprints. Amazonian animism is based on a legacy of honoring nature’s patterned relationships.