Ybytoso Chamacoco in Paraguay

The Ybytoso Chamacoco have only been reported in Paraguay
This people group’s population is unknown or estimated to be extremely small. This people group may have assimilated into larger surrounding groups and may no longer be recognizable as a distinct group. To ensure every people group is represented, Joshua Project includes unknown and very small population people groups until on-site research determines they do not exist. More info at Small People Group Policy.
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Chamacoco are an indigenous group native to Paraguay. They are broken into two subgroups: the river-residing Ebytoso (Ybytoso) and the forest-dwelling Tomáraho. The Tomáraho have lived in isolation, so their way of life is more traditional. Prior to the 1970s, the Chamacoco were stereotyped as a hostile and secluded people.

During the Chaco War (1932-1935), the Ybytoso Chamacoco sided with Paraguayan soldiers in the fight against the Bolivians. When the war ended, they lost their territories and had to negotiate their ethnic survival with Paraguayan settlers and new landowners. Meanwhile, many suffered from debt slavery in logging camps, where their population declined. In the 1980s, the Ybytoso Chamacoco were resettled away from their tribal lands.

In Paraguay they inhabit the Alto Paraguay department along the coast of the Paraguay River, along with small groups that have migrated to other departments. The Ybytoso speak Yshyr while the Tomaraho have a different dialect.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, the Ybytoso Chamacoco people are fading in both population and culture. Their diminishing natural habitat has made it nearly impossible to continue their traditional lifestyle. They have not adapted well. Young Ybytoso Chamacoco migrate to the cities of Paraguay, abandoning their customs and often denying their origin to avoid being scoffed at.

The Ybytoso Chamacoco original language, Yshyr, is endangered. Those who speak this language precariously subsists through farming, hunting, fishing and collecting honey and carandá palms. They also obtain income from making handicrafts. Dissident Ybytoso Chamacoco groups, known as "yacareceros", engage in the poaching of yacaré, a prohibited activity.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The river subgroup, the Ybytoso Chamacoco, were converted to Christianity by New Tribes missionaries, especially by 1985. Today, their spiritual beliefs are a blend of Christianity and tribal religion.

Traditional spiritual beliefs were heavily influenced by Chamacoco mythology. One such story is the “Big Myth,” which tells of the people’s origin. In this myth, the gods, known as “ahnapzöro,” dwelt among men until mankind’s rebellion. One god, Nemur, created the Paraguay River to separate himself from men.

An additional spiritual belief is the tradition of the “balut.” The balut functioned as spokespeople for animals, enforcing hunting limits.


What Are Their Needs?

The Chamacoco need to put all their faith in Jesus Christ. As it stands, they are divided between the King of kings and traditional spirit beings.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the translation of the Bible, and may God provide resources to complete it as soon as possible.
Pray for spiritual growth in established churches.
Pray for Christ followers to show the Ybytoso Chamacoco people new and constructive ways to make a living.
Pray for the youth to have interest in spiritual matters, drawing them to Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Chamacoco, Ybytoso in Paraguay.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamacoco
Samaritan’s Purse


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chamacoco, Ybytoso
People Name in Country Chamacoco, Ybytoso
Natural Name Ybytoso Chamacoco
Alternate Names
Population this Country 200
Population all Countries 200
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 22484
ROP3 Code 119463
Country Paraguay
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Alto Paraguay department: (Tomárãho) Pitiantuta and Puerto María Elena, (Ybytoso) Inihta, Karchabalut, Misión Santa Teresita, Puerto Caballo, Puerto Diana, Puerto Esperanza.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Paraguay
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Alto Paraguay department: (Tomárãho) Pitiantuta and Puerto María Elena, (Ybytoso) Inihta, Karchabalut, Misión Santa Teresita, Puerto Caballo, Puerto Diana, Puerto Esperanza..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
25.00 %
Ethnic Religions
75.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Chamacoco (200 speakers)
Language Code ceg   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Chamacoco Ebitoso
Dialect Code 30300   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Chamacoco (200 speakers)
Language Code ceg   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Chamacoco Ebitoso
Dialect Code 30300   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Chamacoco

Primary Language:  Chamacoco

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1992-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2000-2001)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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