Guarani
The Guarani tribe is one of the most numerous tribes today, there are approximately
46,000 of them in seven states. This tribe is divided into three
groups, Kaiowá, Ñandeva and M’byá,the Kaiowá which means ‘forest people’ is the largest.
This particular group is very spiritual. They have a prayer house and a
spiritual leader whose authority is not based on power but prestige.
For over a hundred years the Guarani people have traveled looking for land in which
they can live freely, “the land without evil”. This permanent quest is the
difference that most is mostly seen by outsiders. Today they are suffering
greatly, almost all their land is taken away. Also the Guarani
suffer a wave of suicide unequalled in South America.
They used to occupy 350,000sq kilometers but, sadly, today they only have a few
tiny patches of land surrounded by cattle ranches and fields of sugar cane and
soya. Some even resort to camping roadside.
A wave of deforestation has turned a once fertile land into ranches of cattle and
sugar cane plantations. The destruction of the forest has destroyed the
possibility of fishing and hunting. More than 53 Guarani people have died for
starvation. Not only do these people suffer of starvation but, they also face
racism, discrimination, and harassment from the Mato
Grosso do Sul police. An estimated 200 people are put into jail with no legal
advice or interpretation, being trapped in a legal system they do not
understand. Many of these, serve harsh sentences for small infractions. As a
result, due to the lack of land and all of the problems resulting there are been
a huge epidemic of suicides. Since 1986 more than 517 people have committed
suicide, youngest of whom was only nine years old. Now
they live on a small piece of land which is surrounded by ranchers who guard
them with guns.
46,000 of them in seven states. This tribe is divided into three
groups, Kaiowá, Ñandeva and M’byá,the Kaiowá which means ‘forest people’ is the largest.
This particular group is very spiritual. They have a prayer house and a
spiritual leader whose authority is not based on power but prestige.
For over a hundred years the Guarani people have traveled looking for land in which
they can live freely, “the land without evil”. This permanent quest is the
difference that most is mostly seen by outsiders. Today they are suffering
greatly, almost all their land is taken away. Also the Guarani
suffer a wave of suicide unequalled in South America.
They used to occupy 350,000sq kilometers but, sadly, today they only have a few
tiny patches of land surrounded by cattle ranches and fields of sugar cane and
soya. Some even resort to camping roadside.
A wave of deforestation has turned a once fertile land into ranches of cattle and
sugar cane plantations. The destruction of the forest has destroyed the
possibility of fishing and hunting. More than 53 Guarani people have died for
starvation. Not only do these people suffer of starvation but, they also face
racism, discrimination, and harassment from the Mato
Grosso do Sul police. An estimated 200 people are put into jail with no legal
advice or interpretation, being trapped in a legal system they do not
understand. Many of these, serve harsh sentences for small infractions. As a
result, due to the lack of land and all of the problems resulting there are been
a huge epidemic of suicides. Since 1986 more than 517 people have committed
suicide, youngest of whom was only nine years old. Now
they live on a small piece of land which is surrounded by ranchers who guard
them with guns.