Chacobo in Bolivia

Introduction / History

Also known as Pacauara/Pachuara, the bilingual Chacobo Indians of the Beni Department of Bolivia, live in the Amazon Basin. They have had legal title to their ancestral territory, some 450,000 hectares, since the 1960s, thanks to missionaries who helped them through legal hurdles to get that title and with it land security; as well as providing them with the New Testament in their language, which is now taught in school. They number some 1500 and live in at least three towns: Alto Ivon, Tokyo, and Motascuzal. Prior to that time, they were semi-nomadic.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are best known for their ethnobotany, which has attracted students from the outside world for decades. Unfortunately, they have lost most of that botanical knowledge since ceasing to be nomadic, although some still wander in search of medicinal plants. However, they still maintain their knowledge of agriculture and raise cassava and corn. By selling their blankets, they are part of the Bolivian money economy.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most practice folk-Catholicism, a mixture of traditional indigenous beliefs and Catholicism. There is an Evangelical minority. They use their own language New Testament plus gospel recordings, the Audio Bible, and mobile apps to learn Scripture.

What Are Their Needs?

They need better water and health facilities and an improved economy.

Prayer Points

Pray for improved health, educational, and communication infrastructure. Pray that they use their networking skills to help other indigenous peoples acquire their own land titles to ancestral lands.
Pray that the Bible and other Christian resources will reduce syncretism and produce a spiritually robust Chacobo church.

Text Source:   Joshua Project