Socioeconomic reality of indigenous people in Asunción

The indigenous people were the first inhabitants of our beloved Paraguayan land. The respect we owe them has been abolished in our society. It is common to stroll through downtown Asunción and see them sitting on the ground, trying to sell their crafts or asking for some coins at traffic lights.

The cultural differences have separated the indigenous people from those who are not. We live in a country where instead of preserving their culture, it is normalized to minimize them, to ignore the simple fact that they are there, to evade that they feel cold, hunger, that they deserve a home, an education, and dignified health care, just like all of us. Socially, language and cultural differences are the factors that most increase the separation between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Their rights are violated and overlooked, but the low access to education and other emerging needs prevent the possibility of rebellion in most cases.

In Paraguay, there are 19 indigenous peoples, belonging to five linguistic families. These peoples are: 1-Guaraní (Aché, Avá Guaraní, Mbya Guaraní, Paĩ Tavyterã, Guaraní Ñandéva, Guaraní Occidental), 2-Lengua Maskoy (Toba Maskoy, Enlhet Norte, Enxet Sur, Sanapaná, Angaité, Guaná), 3-Mataco Mataguayo (Nivaclé, Maká, Manjui), 4-Zamuco (Ayoreo, Ybytoso, Tomárãho), and 5-Guaicurú (Qom). According to the Secretariat of Linguistic Policies, almost half of the indigenous population (49.3%) communicates in their respective languages, while the rest use Paraguayan Guaraní.

Indigenous people make up approximately 2% of the total population in our country. According to the last census in 2022, there are 117,150 people living in 13 departments, both in the Eastern region and the Chaco. However, many of them live in the capital, a situation considered inefficient for the indigenous people themselves, as they can better implement their culture in other cities of the country, due to plantations and the use of various raw materials they work with to promote their Guaraní identity.

But the reality is that the most frequent reason for migrating to Asunción is not in their hands. According to the former chief Don Dionicio, from the Cerro Poty indigenous community located at the foot of Cerro Lambaré, within the area known as Bañado Sur, one of the country's most well-known poverty belts, the situation is generally precarious for those without access to a stable economic system. However, there are other peri-urban areas where the economic and social situation is considered much "worse."

The sale of public lands is the main cause of indigenous migration. 98% of Paraguayan land is in the hands of large entrepreneurs, mostly in the agricultural and livestock areas. These magnates take over public lands by offering large sums of money, either for purchase or rent, to carry out various plantations or livestock exploitations, without caring that the lands are inhabited by indigenous people who do not apply the concept of private property.

The way they are evicted is often violent and forced, which violates Article 64 of the National Constitution, stating that “The removal or relocation from their habitat without their express consent is prohibited,” as well as other legal and international norms. This is done under the eyes of the Paraguayan State, as in several cases, even the Paraguayan prosecutor's office has driven the evictions.

It is noteworthy that the Paraguayan State already has three sentences from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) for violating the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Among other common reasons for migration to urban areas mentioned by Dionicio are the lack of access to education in the territory they inhabited, to health care, and to job opportunities.

The Cerro Poty community is fully enclosed and has two access gates. Inside, there are mostly wooden houses in precarious conditions, where 35 families, or approximately 120 indigenous people, live. All come from Canindeyú, Caaguazú, and San Pedro. The first family arrived more than 25 years ago.

They have a school where all the indigenous children from the community, as well as non-indigenous children from the surrounding area, attend. Four teachers are from the indigenous community, while the rest are non-indigenous. It is important to note that currently about seven indigenous people attend university.

The school provides lunch and a school snack. According to the former chief, no indigenous child resident in the community is employed. Additionally, the government provides free Wi-Fi and direct access through a QR code to free SNPP courses, which are well utilized by community residents.

They also have a recreation area, which includes a small playground and a large sand court. There is also an office where they hold their assemblies and other meetings. Not far from the community, there is a health center they attend.

The main sources of income are recycling cardboard and day laborers working as gardeners, cleaners, construction workers, among others. For women, these jobs are more challenging, so men have more job opportunities. Women generally handle crafts such as wood carvings, necklaces, and bracelets, as other jobs require a good academic level, basic knowledge of technological tools, and experience in other jobs. Those with good educational backgrounds already hold public positions.

However, creating crafts in the capital is complicated due to limited access to raw materials, but they still promote their culture and tradition through their drinks, songs, and dances, which are practiced by indigenous people of all ages.

Currently, all the indigenous people of Cerro Poty have identity cards and are led by leader Petrona Ruiz Díaz. The terms of leadership last as long as the community deems the leader’s work quality satisfactory, chosen democratically in an assembly and in writing.

One of the most well-known rules of these leaders is the prohibition of drug use. However, Dionicio expresses concern about young drug users living around the community. Although the main access gate is closed between 6 and 7 PM, the smaller gate remains open, allowing the possibility of drug entry and promotion. On Saturdays and Sundays, soccer matches are held in the community, involving non-indigenous people as well, increasing the fear of these substances.

This access closure and opening method was very useful during the pandemic, as the total ban on entry of non-community members resulted in no deaths in Cerro Poty.

In the capital, there are about 10 indigenous communities in the same situation as Cerro Poty. While their conditions do not seem discouraging, we must not forget that there are still more than 700 communities, villages, and family nuclei nationwide, according to the latest census, who do not live this reality, as many of them lack suitable places for their studies and health care.

It is essential to recognize and value the importance of the indigenous reality in Paraguay, not only from a cultural, historical, and social perspective but also from an economic and developmental approach. Promoting inclusion, respecting indigenous rights, and providing equitable opportunities for access to education, health care, employment, and political participation are key elements to ensure sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development in Paraguay, where the indigenous reality is valued and respected as an integral part of the national identity.