The Gaviao of Maranhao of Brazil

The Gaviao of Maranhao of Brazil, numbering approximately 650 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an indigenous Timbira people of Maranhão in eastern Amazonian Brazil who speak Gavião, a Jê language. They preserve a distinct identity through communal festivals, kinship ties, traditional knowledge, and their relationship with the forest landscape. They mostly adhere to Ethnoreligion and Pará Gavião is their primary language.

Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite: Gaviao of Maranhao

Fast Facts:

Affinity Group: Latin American and Caribbean Peoples
Country: Brazil
People Cluster: South American Indigenous
Primary Language(s): Pará Gavião (gvp)
Primary Religion(s): Ethnoreligion
Population: 650
Strategic Progress Index (SPI): Engaged yet Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity (GSEC): Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
People Group ID: PG046937
View on Joshua Project

Pray for the Gaviao of Maranhao of Brazil

Join others around the world in praying for the lost to be saved, the gospel to advance, the global Church to grow, and for laborers to be sent out and sustained in the harvest.

Dig Deeper (Religion):

Primary Religion: Ethnoreligion
Religious Affiliation: Ethnoreligion

80%
%
Ethnoreligion Adherents

Dig Deeper (Language):

Primary Language: Pará Gavião
Language Family: Nuclear-Macro-Je

75%
%
Gavião, Pará Speakers

Media Resources in Pará Gavião:

Films:

No film resources are listed for this language.

Bible Resources in Pará Gavião:

No Bible resources are listed for this language.

Or check out the Pará Gavião bible at Bible.com

Linked from YouVersion

SPI: Unreached yet Engaged

The Gaviao of Maranhao are Engaged yet Unreached, which means there are less than 2% evangelical Christian populations but there are sustained efforts at establishing self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice.

Next steps for the Gaviao of Maranhao:
Continue prayer and fasting for this group
Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people

Pray specifically for the Gaviao of Maranhao of Brazil

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
readEphesians 6:12

Pray for those ensnared by the darkness of this world, that they will recognize the spiritual forces at work and turn to the light of Christ.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
readHebrews 4:12

Pray for God's Word to be accessible to everyone in this people group in a way they will resonate with so that many will engage with it, receive it, and share it with others.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
readJames 1:5

Pray that as people place their faith in Christ, they will ask God for wisdom when they lack it, trusting that He will generously give it to them.

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
read2 Corinthians 1:11

Pray that many people will join in praying for the spread of the gospel here, and that God will answer these prayers by drawing more people to Himself.

Pykopje Across Countries (ROP3 - 115272) reported in the following countries:

Strategic Progress Index
All

1 people group

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