Mbya

The Mbya live in communities spread over eight departments of the Eastern Region; the 2012 census placed them mainly in Caaguazú, Caazapá, Itapúa and Canindeyú. They speak Mbya or ayvu, which differs from Paraguayan Guaraní in sounds, grammar and vocabulary; many are trilingual. Traditional organisation includes the political leader (mburuvicha) and the religious leader (opygua).

Ritual takes place in the prayer house (opy), with song, dance and music of guitar, maraca (mbaraka) and takuapu, instruments they make themselves. An opygua in Caaguazú builds the rave, a three-string fiddle descended from the European rebec that the Mbya made their own and regard as sacred. They are also known for tacuara basketry with guembepi designs, which can be seen at the Museo del Barro. Loss of forest and children's health are central concerns today. If you want to approach their crafts, do so at the Instituto Paraguayo de Artesanía fairs or at the artisan houses the communities themselves open, and do not enter a community without an invitation and prior arrangement. To learn more, the Museo Etnográfico Dr. Andrés Barbero (Asunción) and the Centro de Artes Visuales / Museo del Barro, which holds an Indigenous art collection, are two starting points; check opening hours before you go.