Guaíba people (indigenous group)

The Guaíba people are a historic indigenous group from the region surrounding the Guaíba River in southern Brazil. They are part of the broader Guarani linguistic and cultural family. Traditionally, they engaged in fishing, agriculture, and sustainable resource use within their territory. Over time, their identity has been shaped by interactions with Portuguese colonizers and other groups, leading to significant cultural changes. Today, descendants and cultural remnants of the Guaíba people remain important for understanding regional indigenous history and contributions, although many have been assimilated or displaced. Their legacy highlights the rich indigenous diversity of Brazil’s southern regions.