Yanomami in Brazil

Introduction / History

Yanomami people live in the remote forest of northern Brazil. Construction of the transcontinental highway in the Amazon opened up the region to deforestation and invasive agricultural programs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yanomami hunt, practice small-scale slash-and-burn agriculture and live in small, scattered, semi-permanent villages.

Illegal miners are suspected to operate inside the Yanomami reserve to take gold, diamonds and minerals. Many Yanomami people have died during the past years from drinking water contaminated with mercury, which is directly linked to illegal gold mining.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The main religion among Yanomami people in Brazil is rooted in their ethnicity. They believe that “conversion” equates cultural assimilation or even betrayal. Only the Lord Jesus can deal with the fear factors in considering his love for them, and his provision for the penalty of their sins.

What Are Their Needs?

Due to invasion of their hunting and farming territories, their practical needs are not being met.

Although portions of the Bible, and some audio resources exist in the language of Yanomami people, their cultural fears and customs prohibit them from openness to the gospel. There is a need for Christian believers to go to them, earn their confidence and lay down their lives for these people whom Lord Jesus loves. As it stands, they understandably do not trust outsiders.

Prayer Points

Pray for workers who will take the gospel message to the Yanomami people in the form of culturally appropriate music.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to equip, empower, and to guide laborers to bear fruit through disciple making and church planting movements within this needy people group.

Pray for the Yanomami people to find Jesus to be far more precious than any religious institution or cultural practice.

Text Source:   Joshua Project