Ache in Paraguay

People Name:	Ache
Country:	Paraguay
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	1,900
World Population:	1,900
Primary Language:	Ache
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	18.00 %
Evangelicals:	8.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Ache tribe is also called Axe and Guayaki. They were traditionally hunter-gatherers.

Their first contact with White settlers was in the 17th century when they encountered Jesuit missionaries.

They have been abused by Paraguayan settlers and ranchers for many years. They have been killed, enslaved or moved to two reservations.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Initially they moved permanently to avoid being found. Since the 50's they were persecuted for having different features from the indigenous people of the area, they were hunted, tortured for the sake of science and sold as slaves or for adoption. Many were murdered. The Aché people sued the Paraguayan State for genocide. Because of all this, they had to abandon their life as hunters and gatherers to dedicate themselves to sedentary agriculture and salaried work on farms. They still practice hunting and fishing and gathering for subsistence, and all that is gathered, hunted or fished is distributed among all of them. They currently grow yerba mate.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Ache mythology centers on "berendy" a flaming thunderous being that sometimes takes the form of a meteorite and sometimes has a body of flesh and blood. Berendy's son is the subject of several myths, which also include themes about the origin of jaguars, the sun and moon (as twins with the sun being the child and the moon the placenta), the origins of fire and darkness, and a few moral tales about greedy old men and old women.

What Are Their Needs?

Medical needs are one of the needs of the Ache people. More than that is a need to find a way to make a living in the 21st century.

Prayer Points

Pray for pastors and leaders of the local churches to have wisdom and knowledge of the Word of God to guide the believers.
Pray for biblical translators to be able to finish translating the Bible.
Pray for the preparation of biblical leaders and teachers for discipleship.
Pray for the growth and maturity of the local Ache churches.
Pray the goodness of Christ will draw them to abandon their old gods.
Pray for the youth to be saved from the negative things that technology brings.