Nivacle in Paraguay

People Name:	Nivacle
Country:	Paraguay
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	16,000
World Population:	17,200
Primary Language:	Nivacle
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	12.00 %
Evangelicals:	2.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Chulupi or Nivacli language belongs to the Mataco-Guaycurú linguistic family. Fourteen Nivacle communities live in the department of Presidente Hayes and 60 communities in the department of Boquerón. A part lives in Argentina in the provinces of Salta and Formosa.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Leadership was exercised by the caanvacle, a warrior who acquired the status after obtaining a certain number of escalpes, casbatecb in combat.

The family is extended and matriarchal. The oldest grandmother is the most authoritative. Grandparents are in charge of education, which includes myths and stories.

They are currently engaged in agriculture, marketing their products in cooperatives and Mennonite ranches. They also make ponchos, belts and sashes.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They had a shaman who is in charge of healing by means of prayers, chants and an infusion made with herbs, which allowed him to communicate with the afterlife. Shamanism is inherited as well as certain songs from mothers to daughters and from fathers to sons. In Nivacle thought, illnesses were not only individual, but communal, and healing consisted in the recovery and relocation of the lost soul.

A ceremony practiced by the Nivacle was the honey initiation, which was intended for young men who had the desire to become true Nivacle men. To this day, they continue the tradition of the fi fiesta or women's initiation, known as vataasnat, which means creation.

Mennonite beliefs, as well as the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, have influenced Nivacle culture.

What Are Their Needs?

The Nivacle need to put all their faith in the Jesus Christ of the Bible. He alone can meet their physical and spiritual needs.

Prayer Points

May the word translated into their language become alive and effective as they lead on the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord give wisdom to missionaries to help the Nivacle in the growth of already established churches.
Pray for a clear knowledge of the gospel and the Christian life on the part of the Nivicle people.