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Current housing of the Guarani
and not too different in
construction from the house in
the other picture. Notice the
land for farming in the
foreground.
participated in activities that included not
only making weapons and weapon
practice but also songs and dancing.
Guaraní Martial Arts
The Guaraní developed a unique
fighting technique that was little known
except to those the Guaraní warred with.
This martial art was called Xondaro. The
movements of Xondaro are primarily
based on the movements of certain
animals which placed the Guaraní in
advantageous positions and allowing them
to conserve energy and force the opponent
to waste his. The practice of this martial
art honed the participant’s sense of
direction as well as his balance. Another
primary focus of Xondaro was to teach the
Guaraní to catch their enemy’s arrows.
The Guaraní Today
Today, the Guaraní inhabit Paraguay,
Brazil, and Argentina. In Paraguay, the
Guaraní language is the official language
along with Spanish; in addition,
Paraguayan money is called guaraní.
Today the Guaraní in all three
countries have a total population of
approximately 100,000 and, most
importantly, the child mortality rate for the
Guaraní is decreasing.
Probably the biggest current impact on
the Guaraní is the deforestation and
privatization of the public lands in the
countries where they live. Programs in all
three countries have reduced the area of
Guaraní land resulting in increased
alcoholism, domestic violence, and suicide
rates among these people. With time and
the help of the Argentinian, Paraguayan,
and Brazilian governments, the Guaraní
are adapting and entering into a new style
Guarani kids who gave us the
international sign for good.
of life where they are able to maintain their
culture, live on lands provided by the
governments, and develop marketable
skills and crafts to sustain them.
The Guaraní live now much as they
did in the past. Their housing is very
similar to what they lived in during the
time period that the film “The Mission”
portrays. They live in structures made of
wood that are constructed by the owners,
and each house has land surrounding it
that allow the Guaraní to farm and raise
food. In addition, each house has some
type of electricity and a TV antenna. In
Argentina, the government provided each
Guaraní family with a concrete house. The
Guaraní refused to live in them and
converted them to chicken coops.
One of the schools built by the
Argentine Government to help
educate the Guarani.
However, they have accepted other
programs designed to help them assimilate
into the outside world such as bilingual
education programs and schooling. The
Guaraní are slowly adapting to the outside
world. Their handcrafts are superb and
provide much needed income to help
sustain them.
My wife and I wish to thank Fernando
Standkuns and Jason Rothe
(http://www.songexchange.org) for
allowing the use of three of their
photographs. But most importantly, we
wish to thank the Guaraní, especially
Roberto and Carla Rodas for introducing
us to these people and their way of life.
Please visit Roberto at his website at:
www.losguaguasdelyaguarete.com
Three photos showing basketry and bottles made by the Guarani.
www.PrimitiveArcher.com Volume 21 Issue 1 31