Yaminawa in Brazil

Introduction / History

The Yaminahua are an Amazonian indigenous people who live in Brazil, Bolivia and southeastern Peru. Yaminahua means people of the "axe." The name was given to them by outsides, not of their tribe. They speak a Panoan language. In Peru they are also called Yaminahua.

The first main contact with outsiders the Yaminahua was made during the rubber boom of the early 20th century. There was a great worldwide demand for rubber to be used as automobile and bicycle tires. The rubber boom caused problems for the Yaminahua. They have had further issues with loggers and with oil exploration. Their leaders have worked in recent years to have acceptable financial and social relations with outsiders. They desire to protect not destroy the rain forest and have contacts with other Peruvians who want the same thing.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yaminahua are undergoing change. Some of their young people are leaving the tribal lands and moving to towns and cities. They are looking for better economic and educational opportunities for their children.

The Yaminahua who remain on their ancestral lands make their living by hunting, fishing, food gathering, and agriculture. The men fish the rivers and lakes. They also hunt birds, monkeys, and wild pigs. Women gather fruits and roots. Some Yaminahua grow crops of manioc, bananas, and beans. The Yaminahua trade surplus fish and food products for things they can't make for themselves, like metal tools, medicine, and appliances.

The Yamina marry within their group. Due to the lack of modern medicine, many children die before their 10th birthday. Many Yaminahua people die of TB, parasites, and malaria. Their life expectancy is low, about 45 years.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yaminahua, like so many indigenous peoples, practice folk religion and animism. They believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature, such as rivers, rocks, trees, animals, and the sky. These spirits must be honored, or they can bring harm to the Yaminahua people. The village shaman connects the Yaminahua to the spirit world. He provides amulets, charms, and rituals to protect people from evil spirits. He also serves as the village medical doctor, as modern medicine is often unavailable to the Yaminahua.

In Brazil and Bolivia, there is a Christian presence among the Yaminahua, but they remain unreached in Peru.

What Are Their Needs?

The Yaminahua have low literacy levels, so the gospel will need to be given to them orally.

They need teachers who can teach them to read and write Spanish and their own language. The Yaminahua would greatly benefit from medical teams living among them, as many die from preventable diseases.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the Yaminahua as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Yaminahua people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the only Savior.
Ask the Lord to send loving workers to the Yaminahua.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Yaminahua in Peru.
Pray that soon Yaminahua disciples will disciple other indigenous peoples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project