Guato in Brazil
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| People Name: | Guato |
| Country: | Brazil |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 800 |
| World Population: | 800 |
| Primary Language: | Portuguese |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 20.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 1.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South American Indigenous |
| Affinity Bloc: | Latin-Caribbean Americans |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
They call themselves "people of the river." North American researchers call them "aquatic nomads." In the past, they practically lived in their canoes. The women sat in back to steer, while the men hunted from the front of the canoe. During the dry season, from April to October, the Guatos sometimes even spent the night on the river in their canoes. Only during the rainy season do they move to a high, dry spot of land and erect temporary shelters. They speak Portuguese rather than their own language.
Once considered extinct, the Guato Indians are still with us today. They live in the Pantanal Region of southwestern Brazil, the largest wetland area in the world, and one of the most pristine and biologically diverse areas on earth. Some of this region spills over into Paraguay and Bolivia.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Today, some of the Guato have menial jobs, while some of the men serve as guides for eco-tourists. They draw their food from the wetlands. They live near the water. If it becomes polluted, they lose everything. The Guatos live in nuclear families.
What Are Their Beliefs?
About 20 percent consider themselves Catholic, and about 80 percent practice folk religion.
What Are Their Needs?
The Guato people need to find many ways to earn a living. Tribes that depend on the water are likely to find themselves devasted when the water becomes polluted by mining interests.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to protect the Guato people.
Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his goodness.
Pray for a Holy Spirit revival to flood the Guato community with God s goodness.
Pray for Guato Christians to disciple others.