Social illnesses according to the Quechua midwife

Quechua surgeon, midwife and national director of traditional ancestral medicine in Bolivia, Vivian Camacho, says that The first disease we must eradicate is social injustice. For this activist, the echo of this truth first resonated in 2007, when, after winning a scholarship, she moved to Belgium and experienced distance in first-world clinical treatment . “One of the most pressing ills facing our society today is loneliness, which gives rise to countless discomforts. Paradoxically, it is in the era of greater technological connection that we feel most separated,” he adds.

One of the experiences that deeply affected the doctor was that of an elderly woman who died on a staircase, with no one near her for three days. It was thanks to the frequent intervention of a health professional that the body was finally discovered. Camacho says that this type of situation was frequent, with total coldness in the clinic’s treatment, and that even Sensitive topics like suicide have been normalized. “I asked myself what we could do, what responsibility we could take not only as health workers, but also as human beings. How could we not be aware? What type of development does this society offer us that does not stop to remedy its own vulnerabilities? » Camacho reflected.

Thus, upon her return to Bolivia, Vivian Camacho embarked on a process that she describes as “demedicalization and decolonialism”. Seeking the comforting warmth that her grandmothers offered her through home remedies and treatments, He adopted the cause of defending, bringing together and making visible the ancestral traditional medicine of his people. Despite the validation of this knowledge by studies in Interculturality and Health, another obstacle was encountered: the knowledge of indigenous peoples was not really recognized in hospitals and clinics.

“It is not acceptable that technology, instead of being used for care, goes against women by not respecting their processes”

“They wanted to classify our medicine, relegating it to the rank of animism or New Age, considering it an extraordinary belief. However, on the contrary, it is based on trial and error of thousands of years, with one of the fundamental principles of science being observation. How were the pyramids erected or Machu Picchu constructed? All this constitutes current science. Ancestral medicine is empirical and its effectiveness has been demonstrated for millennia, but research must continue », replies Camacho.

“Grandmas prepare chamomile, rosemary and sage vapors. Many of them were unable to go to school because of the boss’s violence, but they had valuable knowledge: they knew that chamomile had anti-inflammatory properties, that rosemary was antibacterial and that sage was antiviral. When you are subjected to the vapors of these ingredients, it is to purify you and free you from any infection. Copal or palo santo, used to cleanse bad energies, literally purifies the air of pathogens. There is knowledge that must be studied and recovered, because it is wisdom that helps us survive as humanity in the face of uncertainty,” adds Camacho.

How does your knowledge of Western and traditional medicine influence your thoughts on ancestral births?

“In conventional medicine, I observe a significant problem of obstetric abuse and violence. Women are treated like machines, where the natural process they experience is not respected, and an apparent control of factors is imposed which, instead of adding, subtract. Today, many doctors have recognized the disruptive nature of common hospital procedures, such as Dr. Michel Odent of England, who advocates less invasive approaches to childbirth.

Unfortunately, the cesarean section rate is excessively high in many countries. The WHO itself recommends that it should not exceed 13%, but I have reached hospitals, such as in Rio de Janeiro, where the rate reaches 99%. It is not acceptable that technology, instead of being used for care, goes against women by not respecting the physical, psychological and emotional processes of a mother, as ancestral methods respect. When traditional birth attendants are criticized for causing deaths, I respond that what really causes losses in our communities is hunger, poverty, violence, exploitation and racism. Midwives do everything possible to preserve life with available resources. In places where technology and hospitals are inaccessible, they are the ones in charge of these sacred spaces.

What is the difference between both ?

“In our communities, childbirth is experienced as a festive ceremony, where the woman receives care and attention. We speak to them with respect and pay attention to their needs, whether it’s being hot or cold, wanting something to eat, or preferring the company of someone in particular. In hot environments, like the jungle, some women choose to give birth near the river, while in cold places we dress warmly and use the vapors from the plants. In addition, to facilitate the expulsion of the placenta, we adopt the vertical position, taking advantage of the force of gravity, which results in a faster and more comfortable expulsion period, unlike the lying practices often applied in patriarchal medicine, designed by male minds for female bodies. The arrival of each being in this world represents a new opportunity for humanity to regenerate its history. It is love that drives us to be born, which is why we do not give up. “Each child comes to bring their love and strength to their community. »

And what is the role of the community there?

“There have been fascinating studies on how sharing food in communities triggers the release of oxytocin in our brains, generating pleasure and joy. When I was a student, it was thought that only women during childbirth produced oxytocin, but the reality is that both men and women secrete this hormone when we experience affection, hugs and collective sharing . “This phenomenon is astonishing, because it gives us an idea of ​​how developing a community motivates us, providing us with a sense of well-being and support, even in the midst of difficulties. »

And along the same lines, how does ancient medicine treat anxiety?

“From our point of view, ancestral medicine addresses the human being in a global way, taking care of their body, their mind, their emotions and what we mean by spirit. We have beautiful ceremonies; For example, some Mayan brothers talk about sacred places meant to address issues like addictions, depression, and suicide. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Shipibo-Konibo people of Peru created the Matico Command. With their íkaros or sacred songs, and finding themselves in a remote area of ​​the jungle, without the possibility of access to helicopters or planes, they decided to organize themselves. They prepared herbal teas and tonics, highlighting the matico, hence its name. They went from house to house to distribute these solutions, accompanied by sacred songs to make people understand, in the midst of uncertainty, that they were not alone and that together we could overcome fear. It is valuable to restore the importance of speech as a healing agent. The harmonious coexistence of scientific and ancestral knowledge is possible on condition that we maintain the necessary humility, open our minds and our hearts, overcome racism as a limitation and reconnect as brothers with a part of this era and this history .

How is sexual diversity observed in ancestral medicine?

“We have always recognized and celebrated diversity; Rather, it is modernity and patriarchy that oppose it. The Lady of Cao was a powerful warrior of Tahuantinsuyo, and throughout our history, women have held a fundamental place. If we explore further, we find various depictions, including erotic huacos of the Moche people, which show the richness of human and sexual diversity, with an appreciation and respect for every creature. What followed was an interpretation influenced by capitalism. It is crucial to challenge this narrative, because by advocating diversity but forgetting the social injustice and hunger we face as a result of this economic system, we can easily fall into the trap of accepting forms of segregation . Without social justice, there are no rights for anyone.

Did you experience representation of your Quechua culture in the media growing up?

“Definitely not, I found this representation mainly in my family. In recent years, I have been going through a process of decolonization and demedicalization, a journey that life has presented to me. Sometimes I have faced stigma and ridicule because of what we do. However, in my current role as a national authority, I promote these initiatives with pride and great joy. On several occasions, I have worn the skirts of my grandmothers, who were peasant women enslaved and mistreated by their employers, who were forbidden to read and write. On the other hand, I completed my medical studies in Europe, traveled the world and serve as High Commissioner for Health in the Americas. All this is possible thanks to the fact that they persisted, transforming our tears into a beautiful flower. Even if the world is in crisis and there is uncertainty, we can be protagonists and take control of the narrative to transform reality.

Did you imagine as a child that you would become a doctor and carry that fighting flag?

“I have a beautiful photo from when I was three, where I’m wearing my grandmother’s cholita hat and my uncle’s gloves. As I watch it, I reflect on everything I’ve been through and how my career has exceeded all expectations. Coming from a troubled neighborhood, marked by drunks and prostitutes, dirt roads and no lights, I think I was lucky thanks to the protection of my ancestors. The stars illuminated my path, and I can only express my gratitude to life for all the hugs that cared for, healed and protected me. I couldn’t have done it alone. When I wear my grandmothers’ skirts, I remember their dreams and wonder if they would smile at my accomplishments. This is why I also dream for the next generation: they deserve a decent world where water is a human right and food is our medicine. I consider this our historical task and that we must prevent individualism and despair from overcoming us, because a sad people are easier to control.”