Mehinaku in Brazil

People Name:	Mehinaku
Country:	Brazil
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	300
World Population:	300
Primary Language:	Mehinaku
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	40.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Mehinaku people live near the Tuatuari and Kurisevo Rivers in western Brazil’s state of Mato Grosso.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Mehinaku huts house 10-12 people with no internal walls. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. They get their food by growing manioc and maize. Men hunt and fish for their meat supply. This tribe also produces salt for trading.
Mehinaku people marry cross cousins between the ages of 14-18. Marriage ceremonies are simple. The man’s friends help him move his hammock to the bride’s family home. While moving it, the men make baby noises to ensure fertility. Once married, the husband must provide for his bride and her family through hunting and fishing. The couple can move to the husband’s house after they have more than one child.
They greatly value children, especially since their population is so low. Children are nurtured by the mother, then at age three he/she is often raised by an older sister. Small children eventually join a play group made up of those from their own age bracket. They begin to learn crafts from their parents. As teenagers they live in seclusion, learning food taboos and not going out at night. Boys learn to wrestle, which is the hallmark of masculinity and a way of gaining strength. Boys and girls are both looked over by a spirit they call the “master of medicines” during this time before they find a marriage partner.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though almost half are officially Roman Catholic, they are basically animistic. They depend on their traditional gods rather than the God of Creation.

What Are Their Needs?

The Saluma people need to adapt to a changing world. They will eventually need education in new areas. This will take them out of their comfort zone.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide protection and mercy for the Saluma people of Brazil.
Pray for members of the Saluma tribe who love the Lord to teach Christ to others.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among the Saluma people this decade, providing them with a hope and a purpose.