Mennonites in Paraguay
 Mennonite children in San Juan Bautista. |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 82,710 (1987)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Filadelfia, Loma Plata. | |
| Religions | |
| Anabaptist | |
| Scriptures | |
| The Bible | |
| Languages | |
| Plautdietsch, English, Spanish |
As of 2010, there are 80,000 to 60,000 conservative Russian Mennonites living in Paraguay. In addition to this there are a number of Paraguayans (mostly Indians) who have converted to Mennonitism. Mennonites contribute heavily to the agricultural and dairy output of Paraguay. Ethnic Mennonites in Paraguay are spread across 19 colonies and in the city of Asuncion. 51% are originally from Canada, while 25% trace their origins to Russia and a further 22% to Mexico. Another 2% are descendants of immigrants from USA.[2]
Contents |
Major colonies [edit]
There are two major Mennonite concentrations in Paraguay. The first one in the Gran Chaco region, and the second one in Eastern Paraguay.[3]
| Colony | Location | Established | Source | Population (1987) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menno | West | 1927 | Canada | 6,650 |
| Fernheim | West | 1930 | Russia | 3,240 |
| Neuland | West | 1947 | Russia | 1,330 |
| Friesland | East | 1937 | Russia | 720 |
| Volendam | East | 1947 | Russia | 690 |
| Bergthal | East | 1948 | Canada | 1,490 |
| Sommerfeld | East | 1948 | Canada | 1,860 |
| Reinfeld | East | 1966 | Canada | 120 |
| Luzy Esperanza | East | 1967 | USA | 110 |
| Agua Azul | East | 1969 | USA | 170 |
| Rio Verde | East | 1969 | Mexico | 2,490 |
| Tres Palmas | East | 1970 | Mixed | 220 |
| Santa Clara | East | 1972 | Mexico | 130 |
| Rio Corrientes | East | 1975 | USA | 180 |
| Florida | East | 1976 | USA | 100 |
| Nueva Durango | East | 1978 | Mexico | 2,050 |
| Campo Alta | East | 1980 | Mexico / Belize | 120 |
| Manitoba | East | 1983 | Mexico | 290 |
| Asuncion | East | N | Mixed | 750 |
| Paraguay | Paraguay | 1927 | Mixed | 22,710 |
Mennonites of the Central Chaco [edit]
The Central Chaco region probably has the highest concentration of ethnic Mennonites anywhere in Latin America. Ethnic Germans (almost all of them Mennonites) formed 32% of the total population of the Central Chaco as of 2005. Only Paraguayan Indians (52%) were more numerous compared to them. Latin Paraguayans, the majority ethnic group in Paraguay, constituted just 11% and Braziguayans and Argentines another 5%.[4]
Mennonites have received some criticism from human rights organizations for their relations with a number of indigenous tribes, including the Ayoreo people in Paraguay.[5]
Conservative Mennonites [edit]
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. (August 2012) |
Colonies of Conservative Mennonites can be found in Asuncion, Catupyry, Colony Florida, Departamento Canindeyu, Departamento Itapua, and in Hohenau.
See also [edit]
- Mennonites in Netherlands
- Mennonites in Mexico
- Mennonites in France
- Mennonites in Belize
- Mennonites in Bolivia
