An anthroposophical approach to the works O Guarani and Iracema through the indigenous lexicon

Abstract

The names that designate natural, cultural and spiritual entities and people reflect the historical, social and cultural context of a community, acting as an expression of the linguistic repertoire and worldview of the people who make it up. Affiliated to the studies of lexicon and onomastics, this work discusses these dimensions from the perspective of the relationship between human beings and the universe, analysing a lexicon that reflects the worldviews of indigenous peoples. The analysis seeks to understand the intersection between linguistic, philosophical and cultural aspects, highlighting how the indigenous lexicon symbolises the characters and the material, cultural and spiritual environment in which they are inserted, contributing to the construction of national identity and the appreciation of Brazilian cultural roots. The words were selected after reading the works and organised into four categories: plants, animals, proper names and cultural elements. The description of the terms was based on onomastic-etymological dictionaries, while the analysis was based, beyond the literary perspective of Romanticism, on Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophical approach, which integrates science, art and spirituality. The results show a deep connection between indigenous peoples and nature, including vegetation and fauna, as well as revealing cultural and religious aspects that reflect their worldviews.