Ritual Use of Tobacco in the Andes

Institute of Regional Science and Technology(ICTER), Jujuy Argentina

Funded by Research on International Tobacco Control(RITC/IDRC) Canada

Ethel Alderete1, Omar Jerez1, Ana Heras 3

1 Universidad Nacional de Jujuy , 2 CONICET

Jujuy, Argentina

Developing Youth Leadership In Tobacco Control Through Action Research

Strategic Tobacco Control Plan

� Prevention � Policy� Health Promotion

Cultural Factors

To understand the meaning of ritual use of tobacco

To asses relationship between ritual use of tobacco and youth smoking initiation

Ritual Tobacco Use Purpose

Research site: Province of Jujuy, Argentina Demographics: Kolla and Guarani Natives, and

European descent Data: 69 qualitative interviews, 6 focus groups, youth

13 -17 years old Ethnogaphic and content analysis

Methods

Precede/Proceed Model (Green Richard and Potvin 1996)

Theoretical framework

Traditional ceremony:

Pachamama

Offerings to Mother Earth

PREDISPOSING FACTORSBeliefs, Attitudes

ENABLINGFACTORSMedia, Policy

REINFORCING FACTORSFamily, Peers

Individual andOrganizational

behavior

EnvironmentCondition of

living

Health

Place of origin: N.W. Region of Argentina/S. Bolivia

Gender Nicotiana: more than 45 species Wild species: N. sylvestris, N.otophora Domestic species: N. tabacum N. rustica Psychothropic species: N. glauca N. glutinosa Medicinal properties: stimulant, analgesic

Evidence of psychothropic substances consumption in the Andes: 2,000 BC

Tobacco species

“Pachamama is Mother Earth, we show our gratefulness in August when we begin to seed the earth” (Male 14 yrs.)

The Ceremony“The hosts give each guest a cigarette, the cigarette you do not smoke, you have to light it with the embers of “coa” and set it on the earth for the earth to smoke, if you smoke it, it is an offence” (Male 14 yrs.)

Ritual use of tobacco (Pachamama-Mother Earth)

All participants, light a cigarette and lay it on the ground to be consumed by Mother Earth

Adults may smoke one cigarette

Children may offer cigarette but do not smoke

Ritual use of tobacco (Pachamama-Mother Earth)

Communication with the spiritual world

Reciprocity and appreciation

Reinforces ethnic identity Reinforces social

relationships Transmision of culture

Meaning

Pleasure Socializing with friends Appearing grown-up Popularity with girls Relief for problems and

stress

Western style of smoking

To harm themselves/ suicidal ideationTo warm up in cold weatherTo relieve physical painTo ease hard work

Ritual

Within household Among family members Three or more

generations participate

Ritual Western style of smoking

In public places, school In parties With friends

Context

Elders lead the ceremony

Youth not allowed to smoke

Traditional Western style of smoking

Rules

Absence of norms or regulations for

purchase advertisement smoking in public places

Smoking initiation was not found to be related to the ritual

Results in agreement with findings among North American Indian Youth

Intiation occurs while socializing with friends, for curiosity or peer pressure

Findings

Knowledge and information

The “power” of tobacco, positive/ritual (bridge with the spiritual world) and negative (health consequences)

Impact of colonization, manipulating ritual elements (coca, alcohol, tobacco)

Implications for prevention

Social Functioning/Policy

Compliance of government legislation with ancestral norms that restrict and regulate tobacco use

Are ritual celebrations associated to adult smoking behavior?

Future research questions