Afro-Paraguayans are descendants of African slaves brought to South America. These slaves were brought from what is now Nigeria and Angola.
The first Africans came to Paraguay in 1556. By 1811, half of Paraguay’s population was of African descent. Africans from the Kamba tribe (originating in Kenya) were added to Paraguay’s population in the 1820s. They were used as soldiers and spearmen by General Jose Gervasio Artigas in his efforts to gain freedom from the Spanish Empire. These Kenyans were given land that they held until the mid-20th century. By 1842, Paraguay passed the Free Womb Law which stated that all African males born from that time forward would be free on their 24th birthday. African males were used by Paraguay in the Paraguayan War. Almost all died in this war. Slavery was abolished in Paraguay in 1869.
Today there are three Afro-Paraguayan communities. The largest is the Kumba Cua, the descendants of those brought from Kenya. Afro-Paraguayans have maintained their music, which is blended with Latin forms of music. Their dance forms and cuisine have been maintained for nearly 200 years. They have a high literacy rate, but few are able to attend university. Partly because of their small population, they are usually forgotten by Paraguayans. Paraguayans associate Black people with Brazil.
The Afro-Paraguayans were forcefully “converted” to Roman Catholicism upon their arrival in South America. They have a fixation on their patron saint, San Benito of Palermo. There is also an Evangelical presence among them.
The Afro-Paraguayans need good, reliable health services. They need to be empowered to recover their land, which was taken from them by force in the 1940s.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring a Christ-centered revival to Afro-Paraguayan churches.
Pray for Afro-Paraguayan disciples to disciple many others.
Pray for them to become a powerful missionary force in South America and Africa.
Scripture Prayers for the Afro-Paraguayan in Paraguay.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
