Introduction / History

The Ikpeng of Brazil are traditionally hunter-gatherers. They are now in the Xingu Indian Reservation in Central Brazil. Living in the reservation has forced them to adopt a more agrarian lifestyle. The Ikpeng live along the western bank of the Rio Xingu, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.

They mainly raise manioc and corn and supplement their diets with fish, game, and seasonal fruits and berries. Corn also has spiritual value in their culture.

They are animists and are terrified of the spirit world. They see everything they do and everything that happens to them as directly related to the spirit world.

Their whole culture and lifestyle are centered around parties. They love parties and will spend months planning and preparing for these parties, which can last for days and include dancing and food. The dancing associated with the parties also holds spiritual significance, giving a small glimpse into the spiritual depravity of the Ikpeng. There are no known believers among this group, though there have been some missionaries working with them.

Within the reserve, non-indigeneous settlement, tourism, missionary activity, and commercial enterprise are illegal.