Guarani Tribe

Tribal woman drinking from the river.

Ambrosio- Tribe leader

Our class went on a 4 day trip on a packed, but comfortable bus to the Pantanal region, Bonito, and Caraapo. The region was breathtaking. We were lucky enough to visit indigenous areas that not even local residents know about or ever travel to. The Guarani-Kaiowa tribe's quality of life spun me into a culture shock. The people of this tribe filled me with hope, as they continue making their presence known, and fight for equal rights. The tribe still has about 30,000 members and are mainly located in Mato Grosso do Sul. They have a deep knowledge about the ecological interactions between nature and humans. They weave, do ceramics, and are skilled horsemen. Many have lost the language but they have resurrected it in schools. 

We set out on what seemed like a long journey, to meet with Ambrosio and other members of the tribe. We arrived at a small village with homes made of grass roofs, no running water, no electricity, and no plumbing. A classmate and I followed 2 of the women down to a river and I was able to have her translate for me when I asked them where they get their water. To my surprise, one of the women answered that the river is where they bathe and get their drinking water from. I was shocked! The reason they don't have these utilities is because these Natives are in the process of rightfully claiming their land after anthropologists came and surveyed the land and verified that it belonged to them. While they are in the process of waiting, the city has denied them running water.

After learning this, I was very frustrated because Mato Grosso do Sul is home to the Guarani Aquifer that stores the larges fresh water underground reservoirs in South America, 2nd largest water reservoir in the world! You would think that the municipalities would be able to provide water to the citizens of their state. What it comes down to is money and legalities. 

More pictures of the village...

Children of the Guarani Tribe

This is an interesting and recent article about what the Guarani tribe members are going through. This doesn't just apply to this tribe, but tribes all over Brazil. It's a serious problem! This doesn't have much to do with water, but it does give insight on what they do to fight for their human rights.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/world/102726-homeland-or-mass-suicide-brazils-guarani-kaiowa-tribe-says