Toba-Maskoy in Paraguay

Introduction / History

In the past, the Guaicurú family, made up solely of the Toba Gom people, was the most characteristic of the Paraguayan Chaco. These Indians call themselves qom lik, which means human being. The Toba Qom also inhabit the Argentine Chaco where they are known as Takshika. Although there is little ethnographic information about this people, it is known that there was a cultural fusion between this ethnic group and the Maskoy during the migrations from the south to the north of the Chaco. Thus, while the men spoke the Toba language, the women spoke the Maskoy. They speak a unique language, Toba-Maskoy.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like most of the indigenous peoples of the Chaco, they maintain their tradition of hunter-gatherers, also practicing small-scale agriculture and making handicrafts in wool, karaguatá and palm leaves; currently, hunting and gathering are done to a lesser extent, having to sell their labor on the ranches and industries in the area. They have their own small production of agriculture, livestock and other animals. As a result of the dispossession of their territory, they suffer from malnutrition and have deteriorated health in relation to it. Many families make a living by working on the farms and in the local industry.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are animists. In animism, salvation is accomplished by the individual through rituals and manipulation of spirits. Animists believe that most of the spirits that live in all things are evil and need to be pleased or their people will face dire consequences.

More than 100 years ago, Anglicans and Mennonites in South America introduced Christianity to the Toba people. Today, half the population profess to be Catholic, while the other half claim to be evangelicals, yet very few have knowledge of the Bible. They often rely on traditional, shaman-centered religious practices for their spiritual and physical needs.

What Are Their Needs?

The Christian faith has not been a vital influence because the people lack heart language Scripture. Toba speakers are in desperate need of God's Word and local teachers who are willing to teach them.

Prayer Points

May the Lord give wisdom to missionaries in evangelization and discipleship.
May all receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
May the Lord send more missionaries to help in the growth of the already established churches.
Pray for the progress of biblical translation.

Text Source:   Joshua Project