Chorote, Manjuy in Paraguay

Introduction / History

Iyo'wujwa Chorote is the language of this small Paraguayan tribe otherwise known as the Manjuy Chorote. They live in the department of Alto Paraguay on the border with Brazil, their traditional territory extends from the Paraguay River to the Mennonite colonies of the Central Chaco on the east-west border, and from the area of Puerto Sastre to the Negro River, on the north-south border. But the installation of ranches was expelling them from their territory.

The indigenous people of the F el Pueblo Manjuy had a negative perception of those they called whites. The presence of any white person was a reason for them to abandon and burn the place. They moved to another place to escape the bad omen.

The Chaco War displaced the Manjuy to the right bank of the Pilcomayo River. They traditionally lived in small family groups, in the woman's house.

What Are Their Lives Like?

This group produces art objects, mainly carved in palo santo wood and representing figures of animals that inhabit the Chaco territory.

The Manjuy village was circular in shape and the surrounding dwellings were made up of related families. Reciprocity and the sharing of food was a characteristic feature. It was typical of this people the division of the year in periods, to which they attributed special meanings. One of them corresponded to the months of November and December, cycle in which the fruits matured, especially the carob tree. This was a time of festivities and celebrations with continuous dances.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Manjuy believed that when a person got sick, the fight of the evil spirits was installed in his body. The healing was in charge of the shaman healer, who made an ecstatic journey in search of the spirit.

Another shaman was concerned with identifying and recognizing the evil spirit that was introduced through the chant. For this, cantabay, the healing was performed once the chant that produced the evil was discovered.

The names determined the destiny and the profession of the person. The grandfathers gave the name to the children and the grandmothers to the grandmothers.

Today, the Manjuy are under the control of different churches: Anglican, Pentecostal and New Tribes.

What Are Their Needs?

Like most indigenous people in rural Paraguay, the Manjuy Chorote are struggling with poverty. They do not have access to adequate medical care.

Prayer Points

May the word translated into their language that is alive be effective be revealed to them by the power of the Holy Spirit. May the word affect their daily lives.
May the Lord give wisdom to missionaries to help the Manjuy in the growth of already established churches.
Pray for a clear knowledge of the gospel and the Christian life on the part of the members of the evangelical churches.

Text Source:   Joshua Project