The area surrounding the Iguazu Falls has a rich history of indigenous peoples who have inhabited the region for thousands of years. The Guarani people, in particular, have deep roots in the area around Iguazu Falls.
THE GUARANI PEOPLE
The Guarani are an indigenous group native to South America, with a significant presence in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and parts of Bolivia. They have a profound spiritual connection to the land and the natural world, viewing nature as sacred and imbued with spiritual significance.
Before the arrival of European colonizers, the Guarani lived in harmony with the lush jungles and mighty rivers of the region, including the Paraná and Iguazu Rivers. They were skilled hunters, gatherers, and farmers, cultivating crops such as maize, cassava, and yerba mate. The Guarani also had a profound cultural and religious life, with beliefs centered around animism and the worship of powerful deities associated with nature. They believed in the existence of spirits inhabiting natural features like waterfalls, rivers, and mountains, including the majestic Iguazu Falls.
European colonization, beginning in the 16th century, brought profound changes to the lives of the Guarani people. They faced displacement, exploitation, and violence at the hands of colonizers seeking to exploit the region’s resources, including timber and precious metals.
Despite centuries of cultural disruption and displacement, the Guarani people have persevered, maintaining aspects of their traditional way of life and continuing to resist encroachments on their lands and resources. Today, many Guarani communities in the Iguazu Falls area and beyond are actively engaged in efforts to preserve their cultural heritage, protect their ancestral lands, and promote sustainable development initiatives that respect their rights and traditions.
HOW TO MEET LOCAL ABORIGINS DURING MY TRIP TO IGUAZU FALLS?
Visitors to the Iguazu Falls region have the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the Guarani people through guided tours, cultural presentations, and interactions with indigenous communities. These experiences offer valuable insights into the deep connection between the Guarani and the natural wonders of the Iguazu Falls area, highlighting the importance of preserving both the natural environment and the cultural diversity of the region.
ALDEA FORTIN MBORORE: The Guaranies
Another option is the visit to the Mbororé Village. The activity takes place very close to there. We transport you in specially equipped vehicles until reaching the Fortín M’Bororé indigenous village, a Guarani town of 140 families that is part of the 74 communities of Misiones.
The adventure begins there, crossing the M´Boca-i stream, we travel through a trail opened in the middle of the jungle. You will learn about their animal traps, hunting techniques, and the secret use of medicinal plants.
It’s just a five-kilometer journey from Puerto Iguazú to reach the Fortín Mbororé indigenous village, a Guarani town of 140 families that is part of the 74 communities of Misiones.
They warmly welcome tourists with a children’s choir and show them how they live in the jungle and how they prepare animal traps, demonstrating their knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants and explaining their way of life and beliefs.
In each visit, the Curitay guide (“wise man” in Guarani) confirms the obvious: the community survives according to its ancestral traditions, apart from modern societies. The children make bread for the entire village in huge clay ovens.
They are led by a shaman (spiritual leader, healer, and chief) and a council of elders. For example, through ancestral rituals, the shaman blesses hunters and new couples. Intricate trails lead to two wooden bridges made from whole logs and a trap, prepared by 5-year-olds, with which they hunt the irambuí, the sacred bird whose feathers adorn hats and bracelets.
After the day, visitors are bid farewell with the traditional abuyebete greeting: they raise their hands open, palms facing forward, and visitors respond in the same way.
The tour is completed with a visit to the craft fair.
YRIAPU: INDIAN COMMUNITY
Located near the Panoramic Hotel, this visit allows you to learn more about the Indigenous community of Yriapu, gaining insight into their history, customs, and ways of life.
At the site, you can explore the history, hunting techniques, and even enjoy a small shopping area with Guarani crafts. During peak tourist seasons, there’s also a children’s choir singing in their native language. The entire visit is guided by a village guide. It’s an incredibly engaging excursion if you’re interested in learning more about the early communities that inhabited the province of Misiones.
During the visit to this community, a native guide will accompany visitors to explore the village through trails amidst the Misiones jungle. They will also explain the ancient hunting techniques used by their ancestors, share insights into the current way of life of this community, and discuss the age-old customs that still endure among them. It’s a unique journey to get a closer look at Guarani culture, its history, and its present.
This is a half-day excursion available in both the morning and afternoon, and it requires advance reservation.
BOOK A TOUR TO VISIT GUARANI VILLAGE
Click on the image below and book a tour to visit the Guarani Village called Aldea Mbororé