MEHINAKU People

The Mehinaku (also spelled Mehinako) are an indigenous group from the Upper Xingu region in the Brazilian Amazon. They are part of a multi-ethnic complex of tribes that share similar customs despite speaking different languages.

Social Structure and the "Men's House"

Their villages are traditionally circular, with large communal thatched houses (ocas) surrounding a central plaza. At the very center sits the Men's House, a restricted space where men gather to work on crafts, discuss politics, and keep the sacred flutes, which women are traditionally forbidden from seeing.

Expert Craftsmanship

The Mehinaku are world-renowned for their artistic skills, particularly:
Zoomorphic Benches: They carve stunning wooden stools from a single block of wood, shaped like jaguars, turtles, or birds. These are highly sought after by art collectors.
Body Painting: They use urucum (red) and genipapo (black) to create intricate geometric patterns on their bodies, often representing fish scales or jaguar spots.
Hammocks: Women are master weavers, creating durable and beautiful hammocks from buriti palm fibers.
Rituals and Sports
Huka-Huka: A traditional form of wrestling that starts with the athletes on their knees. It is a central part of their identity and is used to test strength and resolve during inter-tribal gatherings.
Kuarup: A major funerary ritual held to honor the spirits of the deceased and celebrate life. It involves dancing, feasting, and wrestling matches between different Xingu tribes.

Language and Identity

They speak a language belonging to the Arawak family. Interestingly, Mehinaku society places a very high value on transparency and public speaking; almost all social interactions happen in the open, and keeping secrets is considered suspicious behavior.

Extended info about Mehinaku people