The Chamacoco are an indigenous group native to Paraguay and Brazil. They are broken into two subgroups: the river-residing Ebytoso, and the forest-dwelling Tomáraho. The Tomáraho have protected their traditional way of life by living in isolated locations. Prior to the 1970s, the Chamacoco were stereotyped as a hostile and secluded people.
The Ebytoso sided with Paraguay in the Chaco War of the 1930s but lost their territories at the war’s conclusion. Meanwhile, many Tomáraho suffered from debt slavery in logging camps, where their population declined. In the 1980s, the Chamacoco were resettled away from their tribal lands.
Today, the Chamacoco are fading in both population and culture. Their original language, Yshyr, is endangered. Poverty has played a pivotal role in modern Chamacoco development. Additional factors include lack of natural resources and the relocation of younger generations.
The Chamacoco no longer reliant on hunting and gathering. Instead, many have turned to agriculture. Additional income comes from traditional craftmanship.
The river subgroup, the Ebytoso, were converted to Christianity by New Tribes missionaries. The Tomáraho preserved traditional rituals such as initiation ceremonies, cultural myths, and shamanism. Today, the main spiritual beliefs of the Chamacoco are a blend of Christianity and tribal religion.
Traditional spiritual beliefs were heavily influenced by Chamacoco mythology. One such story is the “Big Myth,” which tells of the people’s origin. In this myth, the gods, known as “ahnapzöro,” dwelt among men until mankind’s rebellion. One god, Nemur, created the Paraguay River to separate himself from men.
An additional spiritual belief is the tradition of the “balut.” The balut functioned as spokespeople for animals, enforcing hunting limits.
The Chamacoco need to put Christ first in their lives.
Pray that the Chamacoco would understand and be convicted by the word of God. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His field, discipling the Chamacoco. Pray for Chamacoco believers to one day take the gospel to others who can be more intentionally reached by shared culture and ethnicity.
Scripture Prayers for the Chamacoco in Paraguay.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamacoco#:~:text=The%20Chamacoco%20people%20(Ish%C3%ADr)%20are,Some%20also%20live%20in%20Brazil.&text=The%20Chamacoco%20have%20two%20major,traditionally%20lived%20in%20the%20forests.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Chamacoco |
People Name in Country | Chamacoco |
Alternate Names | Bahia Negra Chamacoco; Bravo Chamacoco; Ishiro; Vshvro |
Population this Country | 2,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 5 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 11296 |
ROP3 Code | 101987 |
ROP25 Code | 301651 |
ROP25 Name | Chamacoco |
Country | Paraguay | ||
Region | America, Latin | ||
Continent | South America | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Alto Paraguay department: (Tomárãho) Pitiantuta and Puerto María Elena, (Ybytoso) Inihta, Karchabalut, Misión Santa Teresita, Puerto Caballo, Puerto Diana, Puerto Esperanza. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Paraguay |
Region | America, Latin |
Continent | South America |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Alto Paraguay department: (Tomárãho) Pitiantuta and Puerto María Elena, (Ybytoso) Inihta, Karchabalut, Misión Santa Teresita, Puerto Caballo, Puerto Diana, Puerto Esperanza.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 2.00 %) |
45.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
55.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Chamacoco |
Language Code | ceg Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Chamacoco Tamaraho |
Dialect Code | 8694 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Chamacoco |
Language Code | ceg Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Chamacoco Tamaraho |
Dialect Code | 8694 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Chamacoco |
Primary Language: Chamacoco
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1992-1995) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2000-2001) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |