When I visited São Miguel das Missões I went to visit the ruins, the dead rocks. And that’s what I found, even if some say that some special vibes can be felt around them… When I read up I found out that there is an Aldeia (community / reserve) of the Guaraní close by. I got a lot of help from Vita, a nurse at the health center in the Aldeia, who introduced me and showed me around. After getting the approval of the Cacique (Traditional Guaraní authority) I was allowed to come and go, move around and photograph. The Aldeia is 45 minutes by car from the ruins of São Miguel das Missões.

I stayed for 2 1/2 short days and one night. Of course I cannot say much about the Guaraní after such a short time… They seem to be in between the old times, their traditions, and modern spoils such as TV, mobile phones, electricity… Here in São Miguel das Missões I feel that they have been thoroughly shortchanged regarding their share of income from the tourism generated by the ruins and all the hype about the former Jesuit reduction. They could be more active and demand to participate in the nightly light and sound show at the ruins, representing themselves and taking a percentage of the income… It would also be a necessary to build a traditional house for them a the ruins so that they can sell their handy-crafts in dignity, not like street vendors against the wall of a museum showing crafts made by… their ancestors. Here a wiki link on the Guaraní: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaran%C3%AD

Here the pictures which intend to give you a small glimpse into daily life in the Guaraní Aldeia of Keo Ju:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonbergendotnet/sets/72157608507570006/

cheers, michael