Trumai

Who are the Trumai?

The Trumai are an Indigenous group who live in the Xingu Indigenous Park in central Brazil. Their community is organized into four villages: Terra Preta, Boa Esperança, Steinen, and Terra Nova, with some families also living near the Diauarum Indigenous Post. The Trumai are united by their language, shared rituals, and farming way of life. They are recognized for their role in the cultural life of the Upper Xingu region, especially through the jawari ritual, which they introduced to the area. Despite their small numbers, the Trumai maintain a distinct identity and have been the subject of several anthropological studies.

Where do the Trumai live?

The Trumai live in the upper Xingu River region, within the Xingu Indigenous Park in Mato Grosso, Brazil. This area is a mosaic of forests, rivers, and savannas, supporting a rich diversity of plants and animals. The villages are located between the Leonardo Villas-Bôas and Diauarum Indigenous Posts. The Trumai moved to this region in the 19th century after leaving their original homeland between the Xingu and Araguaia Rivers due to attacks from other groups.

What language do the Trumai speak?

The Trumai speak the Trumai language, which is a language isolate, meaning it is not closely related to any other known language. The language is severely endangered, as younger generations are increasingly speaking Awetï, Suyá, or Portuguese instead. Efforts have been made to document and study the language, but its future remains uncertain.

How do the Trumai live?

Farming is central to Trumai life. They grow manioc, peppers, and beans, which form the basis of their diet. The Trumai use traditional farming techniques suited to the local environment. Their villages are organized around communal living, and their homes are built from local materials. Farming is supplemented by gathering and possibly fishing or hunting, as is common in the region, though the sources focus on agriculture.

How is Trumai society organised?

The Trumai live in small villages, with families forming the core of social life. Marriage and kinship ties help structure relationships within and between villages. Decision-making is likely communal, with elders or respected individuals playing an important role. The Trumai are also part of a wider network of Upper Xingu peoples, sharing festivals and rituals that foster inter-tribal connections.

What do the Trumai believe?

Traditional religion and ritual are important to the Trumai. They are known for introducing the jawari ritual, called hopep in their language, which is a major inter-tribal festival in the Upper Xingu. The kwarup is another significant festival in the region. Ritual singing and joking traditions are part of their cultural expression, and have been studied by anthropologists. Art, music, and dress are not detailed in the sources.

The history of the Trumai

The Trumai originally lived between the Xingu and Araguaia Rivers. In the 19th century, attacks from other groups forced them to move to the upper Xingu River. Since then, they have settled in what is now the Xingu Indigenous Park. Their population declined to a low of 26 in 1966, but has since recovered. The Trumai have been the subject of anthropological research, with studies focusing on their culture, language, and rituals.

Trumai life today

Today, the Trumai number about 258 people. They live in four villages within the Xingu Indigenous Park. Their language is endangered, and many children now speak other Indigenous languages or Portuguese. The Trumai continue to practice their traditional rituals and maintain their cultural identity, but face pressures from language loss and broader social changes.

Questions people ask about the Trumai

Sources and further reading

• Trumai people on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• 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 Trumai themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.