Shanenawa in Brazil

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

Introduction / History

"Shane" means blue bird and "Nawa" means people. The Shanenawa are the blue bird people. They are a tribe who live in Acre region of western Brazil. They migrated to this area after problems that came with the rubber boom in the early 20th century. Rubber plantation owners were forcibly taking Shanenawa land and making the tribe members into virtual slaves. The remaining Shanenawa left the rubber producing areas and fled deeper into the Amazon rainforest. Some of the Shanenawa elders are involved in Brazilian politics in an attempt to preserve their ancient way of life and keep their ownership of their lands.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Shanenawa rely on fishing, hunting and farming to make their living. They grow manioc, maize, bananas, and beans. Men hunt wild pigs, birds and monkeys. Some families also have a few chickens, pigs and goats to supplement their diets.

Manioc root and banana porridge are their staple foods. They trade any surplus fish or plants food to buy things they cannot make for themselves like metal tools, cell phones and appliances.

The Shanenawa, like many tribal groups who live near rivers, build their houses on stilts for protection from the seasonal floods. Village elders deal with outsiders and make judicial decisions. The young people prefer to speak Portuguese. The older adults tend to speak in their own language of Shanenawa. They marry within their own group and are monogamous.

Life expectancy for tribal groups like the Shanenawa is low, about 45 years. They often die of preventable diseases like parasites, TB and hepatitis.

No Christian resources are currently available in the Shanenawa language.


The Amazon rain forest is the largest obstacle to reaching the Shanenawa as well as other unreached tribes in the region. In many ways it is a hostile environment.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Shananawa practice folk religion and animism. Animists believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such as animals, trees, rivers, and rocks. These spirits must be appeased by offerings, prayers and rituals. If offended the spirits can bring harm to the people. A village shaman connects the Shanenawa to the spirit world. He gives out charms and amulets to protect the people. He also serves as the village's primary physician.

A tiny fraction of the Shanenawa claim to be Roman Catholic believers.


What Are Their Needs?

The Shananawa would greatly benefit by access to modern medicine. Their children also need schools to learn literacy skills. Most of all, the Shananawa need to hear a clear presentation of the gospel. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for few Shanenawa believers to share the good news with their families and friends.

Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Shanenawa, especially for the elders.

Pray for the Lord to guide the Shanenawa into productive work and a prosperous future.

Pray the Lord raises up a disciple making movement among the Shanenawa in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Shanenawa in Brazil.


References

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanenawa
https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Shanenawa
https://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/articles/indigenous-leaders-send-open-letter-to


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Shanenawa
People Name in Country Shanenawa
Pronunciation shah-neh-NAH-wah
Alternate Names Katukina Shanenawa
Population this Country 700
Population all Countries 700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19142
ROP3 Code 115085
ROP25 Code 307432
ROP25 Name Shanenawa
Country Brazil
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Acre, Amazonas states   Source:  AMTB 2019
Country Brazil
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Acre, Amazonas states.   Source:  AMTB 2019
Map of Shanenawa in Brazil Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
99.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Portuguese (700 speakers)
Language Code por   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Portuguese (700 speakers)
Language Code por   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Portuguese

Primary Language:  Portuguese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1505-2004)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1681-2004)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1751-2017)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus film: view in Portuguese Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Nanda Melonio - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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