Guaraní people

The Guarani are a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples from South America. They are primarily known for their distinct Guarani language. This language remains a vital part of their identity today. It is one of the two official languages in Paraguay. The other official language is Spanish. In Paraguay, people learn Guarani in public schools. They also learn it through social interaction. As of 2012, an estimated 90% of the Paraguayan population spoke Guarani.

The traditional range of the Guarani covers a large area. This includes parts of modern Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. Their lands sit between the Paraná River and the lower Paraguay River. They once lived as far east as Rio de Janeiro. While European colonization reduced their demographic dominance, they remain significant. In modern Spanish, the term "Guaraní" can even refer to any Paraguayan national. This is similar to how the French are sometimes called Gauls.

Understanding the name "Guarani" involves looking at different histories. Before meeting Europeans, the people called themselves Abá. This word simply means "men" or "people."

The term "Guarani" was originally used by Jesuit missionaries. They used it for natives who accepted Christianity. They used the term "Cayua" for those who refused conversion. Cayua roughly translates to "the ones from the jungle." Some scholars, like Barbara Ganson, suggest the name means "warrior" in the Tupi-Guarani dialect. In 16th-century Old Tupi, the word Guarinĩ meant "war" or "warlord."

Early Guarani society was organized and productive. They lived in communal houses known as malocas or ocas. Each house held several families under a chief. They were sedentary and agricultural people. They grew crops like maize and manioc. They also gathered honey and hunted wild game.

They were also skilled at making ceramics. Archaeologists have found beautiful incised ceramic bowls from their villages. It is estimated that 400,000 Guarani people existed when Europeans first arrived.

Guarani spirituality is rooted in animistic pantheism. This means they believe animals, plants, and minerals have spirits. These spirits can become human-like beings. Many of these beliefs survive today as folklore and myths.

Their mythology includes cosmogonic myths about the creation of all things. They believe in a pantheon of gods. Tupã, also known as Yporú, is a chief deity. There are also "good" and "malign" deities. For example, Jaci is a good deity who rules the night. In contrast, a malign deity dwells at the bottom of the Iguazu River. The Iguazu Falls are considered sacred by the Guarani. These falls inspire many of their most important legends.

Many legends focus on forest spirits called Pombero. These spirits have never been human. One Pombero is Jasy Jatere, described as a blond dwarf who lives in tree trunks. Another is Kuarahy Jára, a protector who whistles like a bird. Other legends explain how natural things began. The woman Ka'a Jarýi became the sacred herb Yerba. The woman Irupé was turned into a giant lily. Some spirits are even the souls of people. For instance, butterflies and glowworms are seen as reincarnated spirits.

History was often difficult due to the slave trade. Many Guaranis were captured by hunters from São Paulo. To find safety, many joined Jesuit missions. The first mission, Loreto, was established in 1610. These missions provided protection from enslavement. At one point, these missions held about 40,000 Guarani people.

However, slave raiders often attacked these settlements. In 1629, an army attacked the San Antonio mission. They burned buildings and captured many people. This was a period of great loss for the community. Despite these struggles, the Guarani culture and language continue to thrive today.