Rikbaktsa

Who are the Rikbaktsa?

The Rikbaktsa are an Indigenous people whose homeland is the Amazon rain forest in northwest Mato Grosso, Brazil. They call themselves Rikbaktsa, meaning "the human beings." Their society is held together by strong kinship ties, shared oral traditions, and a system of reciprocity among clans. Despite pressures from outside, they have maintained their language, many of their customs, and a decentralized social structure. Community decisions are made through consensus, and influential individuals, rather than chiefs, guide the group.

Where do the Rikbaktsa live?

The Rikbaktsa live in the Juruena River basin of northwest Mato Grosso, within the Amazon rain forest. Their traditional territory once covered about 50,000 square kilometers, bounded by the Papagaio, Aripuanã, Arinos, and Tapajós rivers. Today, they have recognized rights to three Indigenous Lands: Erikbaktsa, Japuíra, and Escondido, which together form a fraction of their original homeland. The land is rich in rivers, dense forest, and diverse plant and animal life.

What language do the Rikbaktsa speak?

Rikbaktsa, also called Erikbaktsa, is their native language and belongs to the Macro-Gê language family. Most Rikbaktsa speak both Rikbaktsa and Portuguese, with younger people often using Portuguese more fluently. The language remains a key part of their identity, though its use is challenged by increasing contact with non-Indigenous society.

How do the Rikbaktsa live?

The Rikbaktsa make their living through a mix of hunting, fishing, gathering, and slash-and-burn (swidden) agriculture. They plant crops like rice, cassava, maize, yams, beans, and various fruits. Each extended family group is largely self-sufficient, producing and consuming its own food. Traditional knowledge about plants, animals, and farming is shared freely among all members. Cooperation for larger tasks, such as agricultural rituals, is organized through kinship ties and reciprocal relationships.

How is Rikbaktsa society organised?

Rikbaktsa society is organized around extended family groups, with no formal chiefs. Each domestic group acts as its own political unit, and social control is maintained through gossip, ostracism, and avoidance. Women are exchanged among clans for marriage, strengthening ties between groups. Influential individuals, often those with many relatives or knowledge of both Rikbaktsa and outside ways, help guide decisions. The decentralized structure has sometimes made collective action challenging, but organizations like the Associação Indígena Rikbaktsa have been created to provide a unified voice.

What do the Rikbaktsa believe?

The Rikbaktsa hold animist beliefs and see all living things as connected. They believe in reincarnation, with one's next life depending on the virtue shown in this one. Rituals mark important events in the agricultural calendar, such as the green maize and forest-clearing ceremonies. Music, body paint, feather ornaments, and storytelling are central to these rituals. Traditional medicine uses plants and purification rites, and taboos are taken seriously as causes of illness.

The history of the Rikbaktsa

The Rikbaktsa were largely unknown to outsiders until the late 1940s, when rubber gatherers entered their territory. Initial contact brought conflict and then a period of 'pacification' led by Jesuit missionaries, which resulted in devastating epidemics and a sharp population decline. Much of their land was lost, and many children were sent to distant boarding schools. In the late 20th century, the Rikbaktsa began to recover both population and land, regaining control of some territories and establishing their own association to defend their interests. Education and health services have improved, though challenges remain.

Rikbaktsa life today

Today, the Rikbaktsa number about 1,600 and live on three Indigenous Lands in Mato Grosso. They have invested in education, with village schools run by Indigenous teachers. Their decentralized society faces challenges in uniting for land and cultural defense, but organizations like Asirik help coordinate efforts. They continue to face pressures from outside development, but work to maintain their language, traditions, and rights.

Questions people ask about the Rikbaktsa

Sources and further reading

• Rikbaktsa on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Rikbaktsa themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.