Warao in Venezuela

Introduction / History

The Warao are an indigenous people who live in Venezuela, with smaller numbers in Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname. Their name, Warao, means “people of the canoe” because they spend much of their time in canoes near the Orinoco River Delta of Venezuela.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Warao hunt, fish and gather wild plants for food. They also grow cassava, sugarcane, chili peppers, watermelons and plantains. The Mauritia palm, a wild plant, provides them with sap used for a fermented drink. They also use the fruit for food and the fiber for craft.

Their river agriculturist village community reflects a life of material simplicity with lean-tos and beehive shaped huts. Their canoes are the means to travel for food and trade. Even the children are skilled at canoeing. Their life in the river locale generally prevents them from accessing medical care.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Warao have priests, temples, and idols and worship a supreme creator god. Like that of other indigenous people in the region, their social culture is kinship-based and includes puberty rites, death rituals, and shamanistic cures.

What Are Their Needs?

Health needs and economic stress affect the lives and livelihoods of the Warao people of Venezuela. Additionally, land devastation and threats to natural resources prompt displacement from their homeland.

They need to see Jesus Christ as the answer t

Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Warao a willingness to accept the eternal blessings of Jesus Christ.
Pray for a movement that will bless them with a relationship with Jesus Christ, who offers life to the full.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to bring humanitarian aid with the love of Jesus for the Warao.
Pray for Warao disciples to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project