Maxakali in Brazil
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| People Name: | Maxakali |
| Country: | Brazil |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 1,700 |
| World Population: | 1,700 |
| Primary Language: | Maxakali |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 70.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 15.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South American Indigenous |
| Affinity Bloc: | Latin-Caribbean Americans |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Maxakali people live in Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Their culture is marked by extremely long-lasting habits. As a way of protecting their culture, they tend to isolate themselves. They cannot be identified as a single group, but as a set of several related groups, speakers of closely related languages and, today, identified as belonging to the Maxakali linguistic family.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Maxakali villages are usually small, and the houses are organized around ritual spaces. Daily life revolves around activities such as planting corn, cassava, beans, and sweet potatoes, gathering fruits, fishing and small hunts, producing handicrafts, especially necklaces, baskets, and bows.
The extended family has great importance, and the villages are composed of kinship networks that support each other. Men and women share tasks, and children freely move between houses, learning traditional songs and rituals from an early age.
The Maxakali have one of the most elaborate musical traditions among indigenous peoples.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Traditionally, they had strong shamanic beliefs. Much of their daily work was organized according to ritual periods. Today, they also have a powerful Christian presence, which can collide with these traditions.
What Are Their Needs?
These people lack access to healthcare, have many problems related to food security, little infrastructure in the villages, and they seek teachers and schools that respect their language and culture.
Prayer Points
Pray that they find such meaning in the Creator that they will cease worship creation.
Pray for Maxakali song writers to write and teach songs of worship to the One true God.
Pray that missionaries may find access to them through social services and may gain the trust of this people in order to preach the gospel of Christ.
Pray that their singing may be directed to the One God.
Pray that soon they will become God's ambassadors of Christ to remote tribes in Brazil.