Charrúa people
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Uruguay Portal |
The Charrúa are an indigenous people of southern South America in Argentina.[1] Historically they had lived in Uruguay[2] and southern Brazil. They were a nomadic people that sustained themselves through fishing and foraging. They did not build permanent structures, living instead in tents.
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[edit] History
The Charrúa are thought to have been driven south into present day Uruguay by the Guaraní people around 4000 years ago.[3]
The Charrúa killed Spanish explorer Juan Díaz de Solís during his 1515 voyage up the Río de la Plata. Following the arrival of European settlers, the Charrúa were progressively killed by or integrated into the prevailing colonial cultures.
Most of the remaining ones were massacred at Salsipuedes (literally "Get-out-if-you-can") Creek on 11 April 1831 by a group led by Bernabé Rivera, nephew of Fructuoso Rivera who later became the first president of Uruguay. Bernabé Rivera had invited the Charrúa to a meeting, then ambushed them. Rivera's forces slew the men and enslaved the women and children.[4] Only a few escaped this massacre.[2] That massacre was followed four months later by another led by Rivera in Mataojo.[2]
Four surviving Charrúas were captured at Salsipuedes. They were Senaca, a medicine man; Vaimaca-Piru, a warrior; and a young couple, Tacuabé and Guyunusa. All four were taken to Paris, France in 1833, where they were exhibited to the public. They all soon died in France, including a baby daughter born to Tacuabé and Guyunsa.[4] A monumental sculpture, Los Últimos Charrúas was built in their memory in Montevideo, Uruguay.[5]
[edit] Legacy
Not much is known about the Charrúa due to their eradication at an early time in Uruguayan history. The only surviving documents that concern the Charrúa are those of Spanish explorers.
Uruguayans refer to themselves as "charrúas" when in the context of a competition or battle against a foreign contingent. In situations in which Uruguayans display bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, the expression "garra charrúa" (Charrúan rage) is used to refer to victory in the face of certain defeat.
After Salsipuedes, the Charrúa effectively ceased to exist as a people. It is said that there are no fullblooded Charrúa remaining, though physical traces may be found among Uruguay's minority mestizo population. According to the Argentine census of 2001, there are 676 Charrúa (the majority of whom are of mixed ancestry) living in the province of Entre Ríos.
There is a Charrúa cemeterary located in Piriápolis in the Maldonado Department.[6]
The Uruguay national football team is nicknamed "Los Charrúas" and a local rugby side in Porto Alegre are also named after the nation (see: Charrua Rugby Clube)
Charrua is also a name of a Brazilian military tank for troops transportation.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Burford, Tim. Uruguay. Bucks, UK: Bradt Travel Guides, 2011. ISBN 978-1841623160.
[edit] External links
- Charrúa artwork, National Museum of the American Indian
