Maká An Indigenous People of Paraguay

The Maka number about 1,200, however Paraguay has about 5 million people within its borders. Unfortunately, this group is suffering having been displaced.      This was once a hunter gatherer tribe, but, under dictatorship, they were moved to the outskirts of Asuncion in Mariano Roque Alonso.  The Maka have little means to live.  They survive on what crafts they can sell and what they are given by the community.

I am pictured with three elders of the tribe that dress and do traditional dances, for a small cash donation, when you  arrive on the reservation, also pictured is Mateo Martinez, director of the Maka school.

Some of the houses on the reservation with a "volleyball court" in front.

This is the church on the reservation, some, but not all Maka have converted to Christianity.

This is a fourth grade classroom at the Escuela No. 2490 Maka Angel Kanaiti school.  The school consists of 7 classrooms that run in shifts.  The students begin formal Spanish instruction beginning in third grade.  Spanish is a necessity in order to survive in the surrounding community selling their wares.

The room to the left is a Preschool classroom.  This picture shows what little resources the school is equipped with!  We have been very lucky to have been doing yearly day exchanges with the Maka in both Preschool and 4th grades.  The Maka are a great people.