The Guaranis live primarily in Brazil and Paraguay. It is believed that
they originated in the area of the Amazon River and migrated South, both
inland and along the shore. The language belongs to the Tupian group. The
Guaranis, today as in the past, live in small groups of a few hundred
people surviving by hunting, fishing and maintaining fields of maize,
manioc (also known as cassava) used to make bread as well as other foods,
and sweet potatoes. The Guarani population in Brazil is about 5,000. A
much larger number live in Paraguay. Like many other indigenous peoples,
the Guaranis have a somewhat marginal existence. Many groups have been
deprived of the areas they originally occupied and the suicide rate among
some is exceedingly high.
Marcos Tupã, who did the translation of "Full Circle" from Portuguese into
his language, is considered the youngest Guarani chief of all groups, since
he is only 24. He lives in Ubatuba, near São Paulo. His last name is the
name of Tupâ, the supreme god of theGuarani, who created the light and the
universe. Marcos was aided in doing the translation by Paulo Eduardo
Ribeiro of São Paulo to whom I am greatly indebted for his assistance.
Marcos came to the office of the Association of Guarani Indians in Sâo
Paulo where the reading was taped and the photos taken. Before posing,
Marcos donned his necklace and his headdress of feathers, the mark of
chief-hood. For "dinosaur" Marcos used the name for the anaconda, the
large dangerous snake of the Amazon forest; for "comet" - since there is
no word - he used "shooting star". Through Paulo, I gave Marcos a
necklace of deer antlers and red beads from the Cherokee Nation which I had
obtained in Talequah, Oklahoma, during the taping of the translation into
that language.
Marcos Tupă said he felt it an honor to participate in the project of
"Words and Images - A Portrait of Languages" and asked for two small favors:
First - that the address of AGUAI, the Association of Guarani Indians, be
included and it appears on the tablet bearing his translation; and
Second - to get the address of any American Indian Foundation or
Association so he can get in touch and exchange experiences. You can reach him at this address:
AGUAI
R. Diogo de Quadros, #203
Sâo Paulo, Brazil, 04710-010
Phone (5511) 241.0624
- Elly Sherman