KAMBO: Phyllomedusa bicolor Frog, Hunting Vaccine, Ritual and Commodity of the Indigenous Ethnicities of the Upper Amazon
Abstract
The indigenous ethnic groups of Amazonia use the natural gifts of the rainforest not only as a source of subsistence, but also for survival in difficult times. Harsh conditions, the presence of malaria, poisonous snakes or the difficulty of finding food demand a certain type of natural adaptation, and one such practice is the use of the tree frog Phyllomedusa bicolor, nicknamed "kambo".
One of the most famous ethnicities that work with that animal are the Matsés people - the original natives of the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon, who currently live in and around their own reserve. Their communities of around 3,200 members are among the last remaining hunter-gatherers in the world.
They are skilled with bows, arrows, fishing tackle and rifles. But what role does kambo play in their cultural context? The answer is - a medicine and a hunting tool.
Phyllomedusa bicolor contains a remarkable substance that helps with a wide range of diseases, but according to Matsés it also drives away bad influences and brings great success during a hunting. Magical medicine is becoming popular, sold on the internet and has become a valuable commodity for indigenous people.
The demand continues to grow. What actually kambo is and what is behind all this?