Kantarure in Brazil

Kantarure
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Joa Souza - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Kantarure
Country: Brazil
10/40 Window: No
Population: 300
World Population: 300
Primary Language: Portuguese
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 1.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc: Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Kantarure of Brazil are descendants of the Pankararu. They became a people more than a hundred years ago and have an indigenous religion and they now speak Portuguese.
The Kantarure live in two occupied places, one called "Batidas" and the other called "Pedras" ("Stones"). This is northeast and northwest of the Indigenous Land in the northern state of Bahia near Paulo Afonso. Many of them also live in Paulo Afonso. They have close contact with the residents of nearby towns.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kantarure are hunters and gatherers. They are small farmers who grow mainly cassava and beans. The use of a great variety of plants helps sustain the group. They also fish in the nearby river. This can also provide an income for them.
Brazilian laws seek to reduce contact between outsiders and the indigenous peoples who are vulnerable to outside diseases.

What Are Their Beliefs?

This small tribe has their own traditional religious beliefs based on local spirits. They put their faith in these spirits to protect them.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kantarure are vulnerable to outsiders who want to take their land. When these things happen, tribal people wind up being homeless in urban Brazil begging or selling trinkets. Ideally, Christ followers would give them housing and job training, so they can adapt to their new situation.

Prayer Points

Pray for loving Christ followers to help the Kantarure people through job training.
Pray for Kantarure disciples to make more disciples.
Pray that Brazilian Christians will lead the Kantarure to Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project