Context:
Recently, protests by Guarani tribal people have erupted across Brazil as the country’s Chamber of Deputies approved a new land bill that will restrict the new recognition of ancestral land of indigenous people.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Details:
- A new law has been enacted, stating that tribal people can only receive recognition for the land they have been occupying prior to the constitution of the country in 1988.
Key Facts about the Guarani Tribe:
- The Guarani tribe was among the first peoples encountered by Europeans when they arrived in South America approximately 500 years ago.
- In Brazil, there are approximately 51,000 Guarani individuals residing in seven states, making them the country’s largest tribal group. Many others live in neighboring countries like Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina.
- The Guarani in Brazil are divided into three subgroups: Kaiowá, Ñandeva, and M’byá, with the largest being the Kaiowá, which translates to “forest people.”
- The Guarani people have a deep spiritual connection and are known for their spirituality.
- Most communities have a dedicated prayer house and a religious leader whose authority is based on prestige rather than formal power.
Source: Down to Earth
