The Chamococo Indians are located on the west side of the Paraguay River from Casado north as far as Bahia Negra. In the mid-20th century most of them made a living as woodcutters or as laborers on ranches and harbors. Originally the Chamococos were a forest tribe. It is believed that they are only a small tribe. They speak their own language, but most of their chiefs and other prominent men, and also many of their young people know Spanish well enough to use it when dealing with their employers. The New Tribes Mission which at first had its headquarters in the Mennonite settlements of Filadelfia, Paraguay, was doing some mission work among these Indians at Bahia Negra. The Catholic priests were also trying to win as many as possible for the Catholic Church.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 547. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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