Macushi

The Macushi are an ethnic group of Guyana and northern Brazil. There are approximately 15,000 Macushi speakers in Brazil and 9,000 in Guyana.

Origins

The Makuxi see themselves as descendants of the sun's children, whom created fire, as well as diseases, and they did also discovered Waxacá - Tree of Life. The Makuxi believe in the life principle - stkaton - and they believe that the stkaton comes from the sun. The Makuxi loves to fish, but since the rivers are often dried up this can sometimes be hard.

Lifestyle

They live in villages linked together by tracks and paths, with houses built round a central court yard.When married, the Makuxi couple lives in the wife's family's village and the father-in-law is of great importance in Makuxi kinship.

History

Since the arrival of Europeans the Makuxi have suffered from violations, and they are still fighting for basic human rights. The Makuxi are facing random violation, since 1988 12 Makuxi have been killed by police and soldiers.

The Makuxi have set up schools, as well as hospitals and they'recampainingg for land rights to berecognizedd throughout Brazil, and they have set up road blocks to stop invaders from entering their land.

References

• Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.