Fulnio in Brazil

People Name:	Fulnio
Country:	Brazil
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	4,400
World Population:	4,400
Primary Language:	Iate
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	10.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Portions
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Fulnio tribe lives in a place that was once disputed between the Portuguese and Dutch colonialists. Like other tribes, they were pushed inland by the Europeans who wanted control of the coastal areas. In order to control the tribes, the Portuguese settled them in villages.
The Fulnio now live in the municipality of Águas Belas. This is an inland part of the State of Pernambuco. This land is west of the State capital, Recife.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Those who live outside their land are often construction workers or students. Within the Fulnio land, people raise beans and corns for their food and sell baskets, cotton and carua fiber.
Fulnio political decisions and rituals are performed in an open area. Men hold a feast and select their leaders. They are not allowed to argue during the selection process.
During the tole dance, two men dance, each with an arm around the other's shoulder in time with two tubes that are being stamped on the ground. Everyone else sings. The men shake rattles, then stop in front of two girls who join them in this dance.
Having their own customs and speaking their own language set the Fulnio people apart from other Brazilian tribes. Many of them marry outside the tribe, though this is frowned upon by their elders. They often call those outside their group the "civilized."
There are the usual land disputes between the Fulnio and Brazilians, exacerbated by the fact the Funio sometimes lease their land holdings.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Fulnio people were contacted by Roman Catholic missionaries in the 18th century. Though many are now Catholic, their hearts are tied in with animistic secret rituals which give them a sense of identity as a people. Those who share their secrets are in danger of being shunned and rejected.

What Are Their Needs?

The Fulnio people need protection and justice as they face uncertain times.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Fulnio people to find their sense of dignity and worth in a warm relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for justice and mercy for these people who can potentially lose their culture and their land in the decades to come.
Pray for Fulnio Christian believers to make disciples who will make more disciples.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give them a desire to seek and find Jesus Christ.