Ikpeng, Txikao in Brazil

The Ikpeng, Txikao have only been reported in Brazil
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Ikpeng people live in Amazon rainforest of central Brazil. They are traditional hunter-gatherers. The Ikpeng now reside in the Xingu Indian Reservation in Brazil. The Ikpeng live along the western banks of the Rio Xingu, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. The Brazilian government has made it illegal for foreign missionaries to visit this small tribe.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Living on the reservation has forced the Ikpeng to adopt a more agrarian lifestyle. They grow manioc and maize. The Ikpeng supplement their diets with fish, game, seasonal fruits, and berries. Maize also has spiritual value in their culture. Within the reserve, tourism, missionary activity and commercial enterprise are illegal.

The whole culture and lifestyle of the Ikpeng are centered around parties. They love parties and will spend months planning and preparing for these parties, which can last for days and include dancing and food. The dancing associated with the parties also holds spiritual significance, giving a small glimpse into the spiritual condition of the Ikpeng. With any missionary activity forbidden, the Lord will have to do a miracle to get the good news to the Ikpeng.

The life expectancy of an Amazon tribal person is only about 40 to 45. They often die of parasites or TB. Many children die before their tenth birthday. An epidemic of flu or some contagious disease could eliminate the Ikpeng people.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ikpeng practice folk religion and veneration for their ancestors. They are animists and are terrified of the spirit world. Animists believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such are rivers, trees, animals, mountains, and the sky. The Ikpeng see everything they do and everything that happens to them as directly related to the spirit world. They live constant fear of offending the evil spirits. These spirits can bring great harm to the people if the spirits are not appeased by rituals, offerings and prayers.

There are currently no Christian resources available in the Ikpeng language. A few people from this small tribe claim to be Roman Catholic believers.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ikpeng would benefit from teams of believers bringing them modern medicine and setting up medical clinics.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray that the Ikpeng people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the Lord.
Pray that the Lord would lead some Ikpeng people to a place where they can hear the gospel and then bring the good news back to their people.
Pray for a miraculous movement to Christ among the Ikpeng to begin this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Ikpeng, Txikao in Brazil.


References

https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/ikpeng-leader-documents-his-tribes-struggle
https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Ikpeng
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikpeng


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ikpeng, Txikao
People Name in Country Ikpeng, Txikao
Alternate Names Chicao; Ikpeng; Tonore; Txicão; Txikão
Population this Country 400
Population all Countries 400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 0  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11329
ROP3 Code 102098
Country Brazil
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Mato Grosso state: Xingú park.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Brazil
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Mato Grosso state: Xingú park..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.25 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
98.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ikpeng (400 speakers)
Language Code txi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ikpeng (400 speakers)
Language Code txi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ikpeng

Primary Language:  Ikpeng

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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