Ikpeng, Txikao in Brazil

People Name:	Ikpeng, Txikao
Country:	Brazil
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	400
World Population:	400
Primary Language:	Ikpeng
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	2.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.25 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Ikpeng people live in Amazon rainforest of central Brazil. They are traditional hunter-gatherers. The Ikpeng now reside in the Xingu Indian Reservation in Brazil. The Ikpeng live along the western banks of the Rio Xingu, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. The Brazilian government has made it illegal for foreign missionaries to visit this small tribe. An epidemic of flu or some contagious disease could eliminate the Ikpeng people.

There are currently no Christian resources available in the Ikpeng language. A few people from this small tribe claim to be Roman Catholic believers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Living on the reservation has forced the Ikpeng to adopt a more agrarian lifestyle. They grow manioc and maize. The Ikpeng supplement their diets with fish, game, seasonal fruits, and berries. Maize also has spiritual value in their culture. Within the reserve, tourism, missionary activity, and commercial enterprise are illegal.

The whole culture and lifestyle of the Ikpeng are centered around parties. They love parties and will spend months planning and preparing for these parties, which can last for days and include dancing and food. The dancing associated with the parties also holds spiritual significance, giving a small glimpse into the spiritual condition of the Ikpeng. With any missionary activity forbidden, the Lord will have to do a miracle to get the good news to the Ikpeng.

The life expectancy of an Amazon tribal person is only about 40 to 45. They often die of parasites or TB. Many children die before their tenth birthday.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ikpeng practice folk religion and veneration for their ancestors. They are animists and are terrified of the spirit world. Animists believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such are rivers, trees, animals, mountains, and the sky. The Ikpeng see everything they do and everything that happens to them as directly related to the spirit world. They live constant fear of offending the evil spirits. These spirits can bring great harm to the people if the spirits are not appeased by rituals, offerings and prayers.

What Are Their Needs?

The Ikpeng need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. He alone can free them from their fear of evil spirits. They need the protection of the Sovereign God who can take them from fear to faith. The Ikpeng would also benefit from teams of believers bringing them modern medicine.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his power and love.

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

Pray that the Lord would lead some Ikpeng people to a place where they can hear the gospel and then bring the good news back to their people.

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