Mehinaku in Brazil

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

Introduction / History

The Mehinaku people live near the Tuatuari and Kurisevo Rivers in western Brazil’s state of Mato Grosso.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Mehinaku huts house 10-12 people with no internal walls. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. They get their food by growing manioc and maize. Men hunt and fish for their meat supply. This tribe also produces salt for trading.
Mehinaku people marry cross cousins between the ages of 14-18. Marriage ceremonies are simple. The man’s friends help him move his hammock to the bride’s family home. While moving it, the men make baby noises to ensure fertility. Once married, the husband must provide for his bride and her family through hunting and fishing. The couple can move to the husband’s house after they have more than one child.
They greatly value children, especially since their population is so low. Children are nurtured by the mother, then at age three he/she is often raised by an older sister. Small children eventually join a play group made up of those from their own age bracket. They begin to learn crafts from their parents. As teenagers they live in seclusion, learning food taboos and not going out at night. Boys learn to wrestle, which is the hallmark of masculinity and a way of gaining strength. Boys and girls are both looked over by a spirit they call the “master of medicines” during this time before they find a marriage partner.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though almost half are officially Roman Catholic, they are basically animistic. They depend on their traditional gods rather than the God of Creation.


What Are Their Needs?

The Saluma people need to adapt to a changing world. They will eventually need education in new areas. This will take them out of their comfort zone.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide protection and mercy for the Saluma people of Brazil.
Pray for members of the Saluma tribe who love the Lord to teach Christ to others.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among the Saluma people this decade, providing them with a hope and a purpose.


Scripture Prayers for the Mehinaku in Brazil.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehinaku
https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/mehinaku
https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Mehinako
https://www.unl.edu/rhames/courses/ppoint/mehinaku.pdf


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mehinaku
People Name in Country Mehinaku
Alternate Names Mehinako; Meinaco; Meinacu; Minaco
Population this Country 300
Population all Countries 300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 13660
ROP3 Code 106521
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 1.00 %)
40.00 %
Ethnic Religions
60.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mehinaku (300 speakers)
Language Code mmh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Mehinaku (300 speakers)
Language Code mmh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Mehinaku

Primary Language:  Mehinaku

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2017)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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