The reducers of human heads, Untsuri Shuar and Achuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon region: their dance and ethnomusical manifestations

Abstract

This article analyzes the dance and ethnomusical manifestations of the Untsuri Shuar and Achuar human head-shrinkers in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. It explores the cultural significance of the practice of head-shrinking (tsantsa) within the social and spiritual structure of the Shuar and Achuar, highlighting how ceremonies related to the tsantsa not only seek a supernatural end, but also the consolidation of prestige and status within the community. The study highlights the central role of music and dance in these ceremonies, as means of transmitting cultural knowledge and reaffirming community identity. In addition, it examines how these cultural expressions have endured over time, despite external pressure and attempts at acculturation. This work is based on the collection of testimonies and direct observations, offering a deep insight into the importance of the tsantsa in the social and ritual life of the Shuar and Achuar.