Some forty thousand Native people live in the vast region of the Chaco in western Paraguay. They belong to five linguistic families and thirteen ethnic groups but share a common sense of ethnic identity founded on enduring values of reciprocity and equality. At the same time the Indians of the Chaco are one of the poorest groups in Paraguay, situated on the margins of the global economic system.

Based on extensive fieldwork and ongoing contact with local indigenous organizations in Paraguay, John Renshaw presents an overview of contemporary Indian life in the Paraguayan Chaco. He describes the subsistence and market economies, household and kinship systems, political organization, and the challenges of economic development. Renshaw also examines the experiences of indigenous organizations and the impact of development projects and considers whether it is possible to envisage a program of social and economic development that would respect and strengthen the Indians' sense of identity.

John Renshaw is an independent social anthropologist who works for the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank Group.

“In an era when globalization trends are having a deep impact on the economics and culture of remote communities and societies, it is important to have books such as The Indians of the Paraguayan Chaco. . . . Of the book’s objectives, the descriptive account, though time-bound, is a valuable record of the lives of the Chaco Indians.”—Nigel Poole, Latin American Studies

“An effective overview and a useful up-to-date addition to the literature on the area, as well as a highly detailed work of ethnographic anthropology. It’s broad scope makes it a good introduction to the region.”—Claire Warrior, H-Net Reviews

“Renshaw’s work is a major contribution to knowledge about contemporary Chaco aborigines. The appendices and the index are well done and helpful. Anyone working with aborigines and development throughout the world will benefit from a careful reading of its content.”—Elmer S. Miller, Anthropos