Panará

Panará are an indigenous people of Brazil, traditionally living in the central-western state of Mato Grosso. They occupy regions in the interior of the country and have historically relied on access to land and natural resources in these areas.

They have historically practiced a mix of horticulture, hunting, fishing, and gathering, relying on manioc as a staple and cultivating local fruits and crops. Their subsistence patterns reflect adaptation to the local ecosystem, with seasonal movement and village-based living.

Their language, Panará, is spoken by members of the community; like many indigenous languages, it has faced pressures from Portuguese and is the subject of revitalization efforts. Efforts to preserve and transmit the language are part of broader cultural preservation activities within Panará communities.

In the 20th century, contact with outsiders brought diseases and upheaval that reduced the population and disrupted traditional life. In the following decades, Panará communities reestablished themselves and obtained formal recognition and protection of their lands from Brazilian authorities. These developments have helped stabilize their communities and support cultural continuity.

Today the Panará maintain cultural practices and social structures, including traditional crafts and ceremonies, while participating in regional networks of indigenous rights and development programs. They continue to navigate the challenges of modernization, land rights, and cultural preservation while sustaining their identity within Brazil’s diverse indigenous landscape.