The Role of Dreams in Aguaruna Culture: Visions, Soul Wanderings, and Decision Making

The Aguaruna People and Their Relationship with Dreams

The Aguaruna are an indigenous people inhabiting Peru’s northern region, where they sustain themselves through horticulture, hunting, and fishing. Although interest in dreams and visions among the Aguaruna has declined in recent years, these experiences still play an important role in their response to contemporary challenges and day-to-day decision making.

Dreams as a Reflection of Possibilities

According to the Aguaruna, dreams reveal emergent possibilities and events that are developing but have not yet occurred. Dreams are regarded as the result of the soul wandering during sleep, where it encounters other souls and discovers their intentions. However, recent exposure to Christian concepts of the soul has introduced some confusion. Some Aguaruna now believe that any form of soul loss inevitably results in sickness, altering their traditional understanding of dream experiences.

Dreams as Exclusive and Personal Events

Dreams are considered exclusive events experienced only by the dreamer; they cannot be seen by others. Dreams are divided into two types: spontaneous and intentionally sought. The latter are considered more significant because they require personal sacrifice and offer greater potential for manipulation. For the Aguaruna, dreams represent a field of human control, as they occur in direct contact with powerful supernatural beings.

Powerful Dreams of Hunting, Warfare, and Magic

The most powerful dreams for the Aguaruna involve success in hunting and warfare, wielding the same control over the world as magic songs, which are akin to magic “spells.” A highly esteemed dream experience is when a man makes contact with an ancient warrior soul, granting him survival during an attack. This dream often begins with a vision of a terrifying entity that the dreamer must confront, followed by the appearance of the warrior soul, who acknowledges the dreamer and confirms future victory in battle.

The Importance of Dreams in Leadership and Authority

Dreams serve as vehicles for expressing authority among Aguaruna leaders and those in positions of power. Their complexity often requires interpretation by experienced individuals who possess deep knowledge of dream symbolism and meaning. For the Aguaruna, dreams continue to be a powerful means of connecting with the supernatural and navigating the challenges of life.