GENUINELY INDIGENOUS CHURCH OF THE FILADÉLFIA COMMUNITY: MAGÜTA IDEOLOGY AND CULTURAL PRINCIPLES

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the historical and cultural impact of colonization and the arrival of Christianity on the traditional religiosity and way of life of the Indigenous Magüta/Ticuna people, located in the Alto Solimões region of Amazonas. The methodology adopted consists of a qualitative and historical-analytical approach to the transition from an autonomous Indigenous worldview to European doctrinal imposition. It was found that, prior to contact with Portuguese and Spanish colonizers, the Magüta/Ticuna had a religion integrated with mythical gods that promoted fundamental values such as unity, collectivity, sharing, and respect for nature. However, the forced introduction of Christianity disrupted this social organization, resulting in severe cultural losses and negatively impacting traditional education and family lifestyles. It is concluded that religious colonization fragmented the identity and original values of fraternity of the Magüta/Ticuna, replacing their cultural sovereignty with forced integrative dynamics that weakened the community structure of this ethnic group.