The management of the burning of flooded savanna grasslands: A look from the native Sáliva people in Colombia

Abstract

The historical knowledge about the management of burnings by native peoples allows us to understand the role played by fire in natural tropical and temperate ecosystems. The objective of this work was to describe the management and importance of burning for the native Sáliva people in the flooded savanna ecosystem of Colombia. The assessment that the Sáliva have of fire in native grasslands was obtained through semi-structured interviews, social cartography and annual calendars. The generalized opinion that burnings are harmful is firmly established in their imaginary, but the concept of fire remains as a determining factor affecting plant succession and its use maintains the savanna landscape. Before being acculturized by the Jesuits in customs, religion and cattle rearing, the Sáliva applied fire to facilitate hunting and movement, but their subjection to cattle rearing changed the conception of its application. It is concluded that, at present, the Sáliva do not apply fire indiscriminately; instead, they manage it strategically for agricultural purposes and also rescue traditional knowledge of the ecosystem.