Ciência, filosofia e tecnologia Maia Achi, sobre o “HIV/Aids” em Baja Verapaz, Guatemala para a descolonização das políticas do “viver com HIV/Aids”.

Abstract

HIV incidence in Guatemala has shown an upward trend in the last 10 years. With the Covid-19 health crisis, this trend has worsened, with a 78% growth in reported cases from 2019 to 2020. Previous studies highlight racism and the reproduction of coloniality in health policies and programs in the context of indigenous communities. The scholarly literature on HIV/AIDS in indigenous communities focuses on epidemics, the experiences of institutional racism in health services, and the experiences and perspectives of indigenous communities regarding preventive strategies of HIV transmission. In this scenario, we aimed to study the contribution of ancestral knowledge and therapeutic practices of Mayan Achi Ajq'iijaab' (Spiritual Guides), Ajkuunaab' (Doctors) and Iloneelaab' (midwives) about "HIV/Aids" on the decolonization of the policy process to promote life balance in Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. We situated our research approach on a decolonial theoretical perspective, using postcolonial research methods and considering as theoretical categories the epistemological bases of Mayan indigenous well-being. The research was carried out in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz, northern Guatemala. An indigenous research protocol was defined by Mayan Achi epistemology’s principles. It considered four cycles of four phases each. The four phases included invocations to the Sacred Fire, conversation circles, participation in communal activities and reflexivity moments. We argue that living with HIV/aids Mayan Achi therapeutics care for the four dimensions of the Being, according to Mayan Achi science, philosophy and technology. Thus, specific therapeutic and care technologies are defined for each of the emotional, spiritual, bodily and mental dimensions. We discuss that Mayan Achi science, philosophy and technology offers paths to the decolonization of health policies. Ancestral knowledge points to the individual-community duality and the existence of cosmic laws to maintain the balance and fullness of life as guiding principles for the decolonization of health policies.