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Ache community in Paraguay celebrates anniversary of founding, bow-and-arrow prowess

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • Paraguay Ache Indians
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    In this Jan. 19, 2013 photo, an Ache indigenous man shoots his arrow at a target on the top of a tree during events celebrating 12th anniversary of the village of Kuetuvy in the Canindeyu department of Paraguay. The Ache Indian village in Paraguay's jungle celebrated the anniversary of its founding and recognition that the tribe's warriors are the best archers in the country by preparing traditional dishes and with demonstrations of their bow-and-arrow prowess. In 2010, Paraguay’s Congress gave them formal title to the land. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (The Associated Press)

  • 5173b52b-Paraguay Ache Indians
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    In this Jan. 19, 2013 photo, an Ache Indian archer collects his feathered arrows as he competes in one of many events celebrating the 12th anniversary of the village of Kuetuvy in the Canindeyu department of Paraguay. The Ache Indian village in Paraguay's jungle celebrated the anniversary of its founding and recognition that the tribe's warriors are the best archers in the country by preparing traditional dishes and with demonstrations of their bow-and-arrow prowess. In 2010, Paraguay’s Congress gave them formal title to the land. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (The Associated Press)

  • 977edf5c-Paraguay Ache Indians
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    In this Jan. 20, 2013 photo, an Ache indigenous family poses for a portrait in their home on the 12th anniversary of the village of Kuetuvy in the Canindeyu department of Paraguay. The Ache are hunter-gatherers whose population of roughly 1,200 is distributed in five villages in eastern Paraguay. Ache de Kuetuvy is the second largest village and is located in virgin jungle in Canindeyu province. In 2010, Paraguay’s Congress gave them formal title to the land. They also celebrated the recent success of their exports to the United States of shade-grown, organic yerba mate, a drink brewed from the leaves of the rainforest holly tree. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) (The Associated Press)

KUETUVY, Paraguay – An Ache Indian village in Paraguay's jungle has celebrated the anniversary of its founding and recognition that the tribe's warriors are the best archers in the country by preparing dishes of armadillo and tapir, and with demonstrations of their bow-and-arrow prowess.

"We are the champions at shooting the bow and arrow; this is what the representatives of other aboriginal peoples say," Ache teacher Sinforiano Chevugi told The Associated Press in Kuetuvy, a former plantation that about 45 Ache families occupied 12 years ago. In 2010, Paraguay's Congress gave them formal title to the land.

In 2011, for the country's bicentennial, Paraguay held a national bow-and-arrow shooting contest that was won by the Ache team, a source of pride among the tribe's members and a motive for the weekend celebration.

The Ache are hunter-gatherers whose population of roughly 1,200 is distributed in five villages in eastern Paraguay. Ache de Kuetuvy, the second-largest village, is located in virgin jungle in Canindeyu province.

The Ache's Asiatic features and light eye color have drawn the interest of U.S. and European anthropologists.

Villagers celebrated the anniversary of their arrival in Kuetuvy by slaughtering a cow as well as collecting fruit, hunting wild animals and by cooking up dishes of tapir, armadillo and chicken feet. For dessert, a sweet dish was made from the juice of palm tree trunks.

They also celebrated the recent success of their exports to the United States of shade-grown, organic yerba mate, a drink brewed from the leaves of the rainforest holly tree.

Emiliano Mbejyvagi, president of the national federation of Ache communities, said the money earned from the exports will be invested in improving Kuetuvy.