CULTURAL HERITAGE AND INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN NORTHERN BRAZIL

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STATES OF AMAZONAS AND PARÁ DURING THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES (2022–2032)

Abstract

The Northern region of Brazil is home to over 1.6 million indigenous people and a wide diversity of native languages, considered important expressions of intangible cultural heritage. In this context, this study comparatively analyzes how the states of Amazonas and Pará have been institutionalizing policies for the appreciation, preservation, and protection of indigenous languages ​​as cultural heritage, considering the guidelines of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages ​​(2022–2032). The research is bibliographic and documentary in nature, with a qualitative approach and descriptive approach, and was conducted between March and May 2026. The documentary survey was conducted in the Official Gazettes and legislative systems of both states, and complemented by consultations with institutional databases of FUNAI, PHAN, and UNESCO. The bibliographic review used the BRAPCI and SciELO databases, based on the descriptors "indigenous languages," "cultural heritage," and "intangible heritage." The results demonstrate that Amazonas prioritizes the transformation of indigenous languages ​​into legally recognized cultural heritage, while Pará focuses its efforts on consolidating policies aimed at intercultural indigenous education. Despite the differences in approach, both legislations converge in recognizing the need for permanent actions to safeguard and value these languages. From the perspective of Information Science, such initiatives contribute to the maintenance of plural informational ecosystems and to the preservation of cultural diversity. It is concluded that the analyzed legislations strengthen the debate on linguistic heritage and reaffirm the importance of public policies for the protection of indigenous languages ​​as living and fundamental heritage for the memory of the original peoples.