Impressões criadas sobre os indígenas Warao nas ruas de João Pessoa-PB em tempos de pandemia

Abstract

The article proposes to reflect on the urban mobility of the Warao indigenous people in the city of João Pessoa, capital of Paraíba, in search of a “collection” of coins and money. Therefore, it begins with a discussion about the category of refugees, who suffer a process of racial discrimination, xenophobia, being seen by many as a social and health “problem” for people. Then, we look at international rights on refugees, indigenous rights, raising perspectives to understand them. The focus given to health care, related to COVID-19, brings out a framework of tensions that unfold from the antinomies of cleanliness/dirt, contagion/purification, order/disorder underlying the social behavior of indigenous people. Access to housing becomes a crucial factor for them to live more safely, mitigating social and health risks. In the end, reflections are launched on this process, especially in terms of the need for qualified social and health care to serve the indigenous people well, thus seeking a more effective performance by the external actors involved in these actions.