Type: Article
Plants, dreams and metaphors: reflections on Amerindian means of influence[Plantas, sonhos e metáforas: reflexões sobre os meios de influência ameríndios]
Journal: Revista de Antropologia (00347701)Year: 25 November 2022Volume: 65Issue:
Abstract
This paper is devoted to the means at amerindians’ disposal to augment personal effi-cacy, that is, props used to increase influence on others. My argument, in a nutshell, is that dreams, magic plants (and other substances classed together with them), and metaphorical discourse are such means of aiding one’s influence on others-or avoi-ding being the target of others’ influence. The second point is that such props, aids, or intensifying devices must involve the interaction of what are normally translated as ”souls“, ”vital images“, or “doubles“-the immaterial aspects of the person-if they are to be effective. © 2022, Universidade de Sao Paulo. Museu de Zoologia. All rights reserved.