Cleber Aparecido de Melo

Biography and Expertise of Cleber Aparecido de Melo

Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo stands as a guardian and promoter of Brazil’s rich ancestral medical traditions. His life’s work is deeply rooted in his dual heritage from the Tupi-Guarani and Jucá peoples, providing him with a profound understanding of the philosophies, practices, and ethnobotanical knowledge that have sustained these communities for centuries. His mission transcends mere preservation; he actively creates institutional frameworks to ensure this wisdom is transmitted to future generations and can be shared with the wider world.

His expertise directly embodies the 3rd WCTCIM’s motto pillar of “Knowledge Diversity.” By founding a college and a museum dedicated to indigenous medicine, Dr. Melo champions the Thematic Axis, “Diversity of TCIM Modalities,” by showcasing the sophistication and depth of indigenous knowledge systems. Furthermore, his efforts align with the congress’s focus on South-South collaboration, as he builds local capacity and creates models that can inspire similar initiatives across Latin America and beyond.

The work of Cleber Aparecido de Melo is a living example of the principles outlined in the Gujarat Declaration. He translates ancestral evidence into structured curricula and clinical practices, contributing to the development of well-being societies from the ground up. Therefore, his contributions are vital for discussions on how to respectfully integrate diverse knowledge systems into global public health strategies, ensuring they are sustainable, recognized, and effective.

Institutional Foundations and Community Leadership

Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo’s career is defined by landmark achievements in institutional creation, not a conventional path. His entrepreneurial and communitarian work focuses on building infrastructure to protect and legitimize indigenous knowledge systems. Each institution he founded supports cultural resilience and health sovereignty.

These initiatives create spaces where indigenous wisdom is a living, evolving field of study and practice. His leadership has paved the way for a new generation of practitioners and scholars.

Founder of the First Museum of Indigenous Ancestral Art and Medicine

This pioneering museum in Bahia is a vital repository for the material culture and intellectual heritage of indigenous medicine. It educates the public on the complexity of traditional healing practices. The museum also functions as a center for research and documentation, safeguarding at-risk oral knowledge. This work is fundamental for cultural identity and is a crucial educational resource for all visitors.

Founder of the First Tupi-Guarani Indigenous College and Clinic

The Faculdade Tupi Guarani and its associated clinic is Dr. Melo’s most significant contribution. This institution formalizes the education of traditional health practitioners, with a curriculum blending ancestral wisdom and complementary practices. It provides a legitimate academic pathway for a historically marginalized field of knowledge. The clinic applies this knowledge, offering culturally sensitive healthcare and serving as a training ground for students. This model addresses the congress’s “TCIM Education and Training” axis, showcasing a successful framework for knowledge transmission.

Academic Qualifications

Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo‘s academic journey bridges Western education and indigenous sciences. His qualifications recognize his expertise in both domains, enabling him to navigate different epistemologies to integrate traditional and conventional health systems.

His qualifications demonstrate a commitment to using established educational tools to elevate and disseminate ancestral knowledge, ensuring it is understood and respected in broader academic and public health circles.

• Ph.D. in Indigenous Naturopathy and Homeopathy: Awarded by the Erich Fromm American University, this doctorate formally recognizes his high-level expertise and research in the specific field of indigenous healing systems.
• Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr.h.c) in Ethnobotany: Conferred by FACEI in Bahia, this honorary doctorate acknowledges his immense practical knowledge and lifetime contributions to the study and application of medicinal plants within their cultural context.
• Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr.h.c) in Indigenous Rights: Also from FACEI, this degree honors his work as a staunch advocate for the cultural and intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples, recognizing that health sovereignty is inseparable from broader rights.
• Degree in Integrative and Complementary Therapies: From Faculdade UNOPAR, this qualification provides him with a formal grounding in nationally recognized complementary practices, facilitating dialogue with other healthcare professionals.
• Degree in Pedagogy: From FACIIP in Bahia, this degree equipped him with the foundational theories and methods of education, which have been instrumental in his work establishing the Faculdade Tupi Guarani.

Preservation of Ancestral Knowledge as Living Research

The research contributions of Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo are best understood not through a traditional list of academic papers but through his role as a curator of living knowledge. His primary research field is ethnobotany, practiced not in a laboratory but within the community and the ecosystems that have sustained his people. This work involves the identification, application, and spiritual understanding of medicinal plants, a complex science passed down through generations.

His founding of the Museum of Indigenous Ancestral Art and Medicine is a monumental act of research dissemination. The museum’s collections and exhibitions serve as a three-dimensional publication, documenting and interpreting knowledge for a broad audience. Therefore, he transforms oral tradition into a permanent, accessible record. This approach to research aligns with the growing global recognition that evidence comes in many forms and that community-based knowledge is invaluable for public health.

Furthermore, the curriculum developed for the Faculdade Tupi Guarani represents a peer-reviewed systemization of indigenous medical science. The work of Cleber Aparecido de Melo in creating this educational program is a form of applied research, establishing protocols and pedagogical methods for teaching a complex body of knowledge. This directly contributes to building a sustainable evidence base for traditional practices, as called for by the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy and the Gujarat Declaration.

Awards and Recognitions

The profound impact of Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo‘s lifelong dedication has been formally recognized through prestigious honorary doctorates. These awards are not merely symbolic; they represent an academic acknowledgment of a lifetime of intellectual and practical work that stands on par with traditional scholarly achievements. They validate his expertise and elevate the status of the knowledge systems he represents.

These honors underscore the importance of his contributions to science, culture, and human rights, celebrating his role as both a scholar and a community leader. Consequently, they highlight a growing trend of valuing diverse forms of expertise.

• Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr.h.c) in Ethnobotany: This award recognizes his exceptional mastery of the science of medicinal plants as understood and practiced by the indigenous peoples of Brazil. It honors his role in safeguarding and applying this critical knowledge, which is central to both cultural identity and planetary health.
• Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr.h.c) in Indigenous Rights: This degree celebrates his tireless advocacy for the rights of indigenous communities to their land, culture, and intellectual property. It acknowledges that his work in health and education is a powerful form of activism, asserting the value and legitimacy of indigenous ways of life in the face of historical marginalization.

Advocacy for Indigenous Knowledge Systems

While Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo may not participate in conventional academic boards, his entire professional life is an exercise in governance, leadership, and advocacy. As the founder and guiding force behind a museum, a college, and a clinic, he performs the strategic and directive functions of a board of directors daily. His leadership is foundational, creating the very structures that will govern the future of indigenous medicine in his region.

This form of leadership is deeply integrated with advocacy. By building these institutions, he makes a powerful statement about the importance of indigenous knowledge and demands its inclusion in national conversations about health, education, and culture. His work is a strategic intervention designed to ensure the long-term viability and growth of his people’s ancestral traditions.

Therefore, his role transcends that of an educator or practitioner; he is an architect of cultural and educational sovereignty. This advocacy is critical for implementing the goals of the 3rd WCTCIM, as it demonstrates a successful, community-led model for integrating TCIM into society in a way that empowers the knowledge holders themselves. The very existence of the institutions he has built serves as his most powerful committee contribution.

Connect with Dr. Melo’s Institutions

To explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. Cleber Aparecido de Melo and the institutions he has founded, the official website of the Tupi Guarani Institute serves as the primary portal. It offers insights into the educational programs, clinical services, and cultural preservation efforts he leads.

This platform provides a direct look at how ancestral knowledge is being applied and taught in a contemporary context, offering a valuable resource for students, researchers, and health professionals interested in indigenous medicine.

Instituto Tupi Guarani Official Website: Learn More About the College and Clinic