Chamacoco in Paraguay

The Chamacoco have only been reported in Paraguay
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Chamacoco need to put Christ first in their lives.


Prayer Points

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.


References

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

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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.