Mythological Relations Between the “Lavandeira” Birds Fluvicola nengeta and Motacilla alba in Northeast Brazil and Northwest Spain: Possible Cultural Implications for Conservation

Abstract

The bird species Fluvicola nengeta (Tyrannidae) and Motacilla alba (Motacilidae) are widely known as lavandeiras and are directly associated with mythological traditions in Europe and South America. F. nengeta is considered a sacred animal in popular Brazilian Catholicism. We investigated the possible implications of mythical beliefs for ethnoconservation of these species. Two versions of the lavandeira myth were examined–a South American tradition common in north and northeastern Brazil, and a European version known principally from Galicia, Spain. Each version of the myth was divided into small component units called mythemes, which were subsequently analyzed and compared. The two bird species have similar morphological and behavioral characteristics that probably aided the “migration” of the European mythology to the Americas–showing that human populations that are geographically distant but culturally linked and that interact with very similar natural elements will demonstrate similar cognitive schemes. The analysis of myths represents an appropriate strategy for ethnoecological studies and for ethnoconservation efforts, especially when related to species falling under an ideologically motivated protection such as the lavandeira birds.

Birds and people in semiarid northeastern Brazil: symbolic and medicinal relationships

“…This information may be useful in generating testable hypotheses related to ethno-conservation. A similar example was cited by Marques [29] and Farias et al [30] that consisted of a total taboo protection of Fluvicola negenta (Masked Water-tyrant) encountered in northeastern Brazil. According to popular beliefs, this species helped wash the clothes of the infant Jesus (or his mother, Our Lady, in the Catholic tradition), so that killing or capturing it was effectively prohibited by popular Catholicism.…”

“…In regards to omens, these divinations may be related to meteorological phenomena [27,28] and/or have religious dimensions [22,29,30]. …”

Students’ attitudes toward and knowledge about snakes in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil

“…Among the most relevant cultural features, religious beliefs and practices have long influenced the interaction between serpents and people [53,54], and in the Northeast semiarid region it is no different [16,52]. In this region, Catholicism is among the most widespread religions, and as well as other expressions of Christian faith, it has influenced the attitudes towards the local wildlife [55,56]. In this scenario, biblical passages such as in the book of Genesis, in which a serpent deceives Eve, the first woman created by God, so that she eats the fruit of the forbidden tree in order to have the discernment of good and evil, can contribute to the bad reputation of snakes and is one of the reasons there is such an aversion to these animals in the region [52].…”

Owls in urban narratives: implications for conservation and environmental education in NW Patagonia (Argentina)

“…In many cultures, birds are a common subject of popular narratives and form part of a range of folk and spiritual worldviews [1,2]. Throughout South America, various narratives include birds as main protagonists, which play a key role in mediating between humans and the world of spirits [3,4].…”

“…This would result in a more effective education method when teaching about nature and biological conservation [22,23]. Likewise, the analysis of popular narratives constitutes an appropriate strategy to understand the symbolic basis of the relationships between people and certain animals in their environment; this is very important for biologic conservation, and it is especially relevant for species that fall under an ideologically motivated protection or aversion [1] such as owls in Patagonia [24].…”