Yaminahua, Chitonajuas in Peru

Yaminahua, Chitonajuas
Send Joshua Project a photo
of this people group.
Map Source:  Amanecer Peru
People Name: Yaminahua, Chitonajuas
Country: Peru
10/40 Window: No
Population: 300
World Population: 300
Primary Language: Yaminahua
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: New Testament
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Amazon
Affinity Bloc: Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Yaminahua are an Amazonian tribe living in Brazil and Bolivia where they live in Madre de Dios in Peru. Yaminahua means people of the axe. The name was given to them by people not of their tribe. They speak a Panoan language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yaminahua have a low literacy level so the gospel will need to be presented in oral form and probably in their language as not many of them speak Spanish or Portuguese.
They are protecting the rain forest and have contact with others in the way they want and so maintain their culture. Their leaders have worked in recent times to have acceptable financial and social relations with those in the world away from their community.

What Are Their Beliefs?

This small tribe has their own traditional religious beliefs based on local spirits. They put their faith in these spirits to protect them.

What Are Their Needs?

The first main contact with the Yaminahua was made during the rubber boom which caused problems for them. They still have problems with loggers and oil exploration crews encroaching on their land.

Prayer Points

Pray that the gospel can be given to the Yaminahua in their own language leading them to Jesus Christ.
Pray that the troubles they have had will cause them to accept the gospel message when given to them.
Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find the only savior.

Text Source:   Joshua Project