PARAGUAY: MENNONITES ARE ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INDIANS

(2 May 1996) Natural Sound

Human rights activists have warned the Lengua Indians of Paraguay could well be on the way to losing their culture - and ultimately their identity.

For years, the Indians have lived together with a small community of Mennonites of German descent who arrived in the region in the 1920s.

Although their living conditions are better than those of other ethnic groups, activists fear they've adopted the lifestyle of their employers.

In addition, the human rights groups have accused the Mennonites of exploiting and even discriminating against the Indians.

The dry plains of El Chaco (chah'-kaw) in Paraguay are home to a group of Indians known as the Lengua or Enthlet.

Their community is just a mile away from the Loma Plata town where a small community of Mennonites settled in the 1920s.

The Lengua Indians live a simple life.

Most of them work on the land provided by the Mennonites while others commute to the town where they work in the milk factory or other businesses owned by the Mennonites.

The Mennonites claim they treat the Indians with equality - although they earn half the salary of an average Mennonite.

One-fourth of their wages go to health insurance and 15 percent goes to social security and schools.

This has led to criticism by human rights activists who argue the Indians are been exploited by their employers.

The Indians say they are happy and claim they have better standards of living than other groups in the country.

But activists also say the Indians suffer from discrimination.

The Mennonite community keeps separate schools and the only school available for the Lengua Indians is located too far away for them to attend on a regular basis.

The Indians also lack running water and electricity.

And there are visible signs of acculturation.

The Indians have adopted some of the lifestyle of the settlers, from the way they dress to the games they play.

Most Indians in Paraguay lack representation from Indian rights groups.

But for many, these smiling faces may be an indication that the Lengua Indians are pretty happy with their lifestyle.

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