Kalapalo in Brazil

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

Introduction / History

The Kalapalo people of Central Brazil live in a national reserve that is protected on all sides. They have been isolated from the Brazilian social and economic influences that reach almost every other tribal people. Thus, the culture of the Kalapalo has been mostly undisturbed by the outside world.

Kalapalo are hunter-gatherers who also engage in simple farming.

Some portions of Scripture and Gospel Recordings are available in the Kalapalo language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kalapalo live essentially as their ancestors did. The men hunt monkeys, birds and wild pigs. Men also fish the local rivers. Women gather edible forest products and grow manioc and melons. Once the soil and game from one area is depleted, the Kalapalo often move to another place.

Life expectancy is low among the Kalapalo, about 45 years. They die from the flu, TB, other contagious diseases or parasites. The Kalapalo lack schools for their children. As a result, many are unable to read and write.

The Kalapalo marry within their group. Many children die before their tenth birthday. It is the sons' responsibility to take care of his parents in their final years.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kalapalo people look to the darkening sky for "The Shadow." This shadow is the spirit of their deceased patriarch, coming to visit his grieving family for the last time before he traveled east (in the direction of the sunrise) to forever live in the village of the dead.

God has prepared this people to receive the Messiah through their own indigenous folklore, which includes a creator of all things (Kwatini), and a female savior figure from whom all men originally came (Sakefenu). In addition, they believe that upon death, all men travel to an eternal village in the sky where the sun rises.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kalapalo would greatly benefit from access to modern medicine. Many of them die from preventable sicknesses. The Kalapalo children need schools. Most of all the Kalapalo need to hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask for the Lord to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the Kalapalo as a testimony of His power and love.

Pray that the Kalapalo people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the Lord.

Pray for medical workers to come and help the Kalapalo.

Pray for a movement to Christ among the Kalapalo to begin this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Kalapalo in Brazil.


References

https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Kalapalo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalapalo
https://www.everyculture.com/South-America/Kalapalo.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kalapalo
People Name in Country Kalapalo
Alternate Names Apalakiri; Calapalo
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18923
ROP3 Code 114896
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; 3 villages along Culuene river.   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; 3 villages along Culuene river..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
0.30 %
Ethnic Religions
99.70 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kuikuro-Kalapalo (800 speakers)
Language Code kui   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kuikuro-Kalapalo (800 speakers)
Language Code kui   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kuikuro-Kalapalo

Primary Language:  Kuikuro-Kalapalo

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2014)
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
Film / Video Jesus Film Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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