Indigenous Mato Grosso do Sul: Guarani, Terena & Living Cultures
Mato Grosso do Sul has Brazil's largest indigenous population in absolute terms — the Guarani-Kaiowá, Terena, and other nations maintain living cultures in reserves within sight of the cerrado capital
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Guarani-Kaiowá land rights
The Guarani-Kaiowá of Mato Grosso do Sul are fighting for the recovery of traditional territories now occupied by soy farms and cattle ranches; their struggle for land rights is one of Brazil's most pressing indigenous rights issues
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Terena Cultural Traditions
The Terena people – concentrated in Campo Grande and surrounding reserves – maintain traditional crafts, language and ceremonial life along with full participation in the city's economy
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Museum of the Indian
The Museu do Índio in Campo Grande documents the indigenous people of Mato Grosso do Sul – their material culture, language and the history of their relations with the Brazilian state
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Nioaque Indigenous Reserve
The indigenous reserves near Campo Grande preserve community life – visits arranged through cultural organizations reveal traditional construction, use of medicinal plants and spiritual practices
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Kaiowá Ñande Reko
The Guarani concept of ñande reko – the traditional way of being – embodies their relationship to land, community and spirituality; its survival during displacement is remarkable
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Borders Indigenous Peoples
The Pantanal borderlands between Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia are home to transboundary indigenous peoples who maintain identities that predate national borders