An Account of the Abipones, an Equestrian People of Paraguay, (2 of 3)

"An Account of the Abipones, an Equestrian People of Paraguay," by Martin Dobrizhoffer is a historical narration from the 1800s, offering an in-depth exploration of the Abipones, an equestrian indigenous group in Paraguay, by combining cultural observations with the writer’s experiences as a missionary in their community. The story explores their traditions, faith, social systems and relations with nearby groups and colonizers. It starts by setting the scene of the Abipones' geographic location, explaining their nomadic way of living in the Chaco province and their lack of permanent homes because of threats from enemies. Dobrizhoffer describes their land, beginnings, and different names, thinking about ideas of their origin and physical traits, as the book shares interesting details about their communal behaviors, focus to survive, and interpretations of how they are relative to neighboring tribes and impact of European colonization on their existence.