Guaraní

Last week, one of the committees I went to visit was named Ñañopytyvomba. Now, try saying that out loud. Let me know how it goes.

That is Guaraní. That is one word of Guaraní. And no, I don't know what it means. Now imagine hearing a whole conversation of words like that. Good luck.

This is Comité Ñañopytyvomba, as well as jefe and me, and I'm willing to bet you can find us. We stand out. He, because, well, he's a man. And me, because I'm ginormously tall in this culture. Really really tall. And white, I suppose.

I was the only intern at this particular committee meeting, and therefore the only non-native Spanish speaker, and the only one who spoke no Guaraní. Before the meeting started, the women were having a very animated conversation which involved a lot of looking at me and laughing. Eventually Rodrigo (jefe) decided to fill me in. They were discussing whether I preferred blonde or brown-haired men. Frankly, I have a feeling there was more to it than that, but I'll never know for sure! But then I had to give them an answer. I tried to get away with telling them I didn't have a preference, but they weren't inclined to let me off so easily. Alas.

On a perhaps more culturally interesting note: Guaraní is very commonly spoken among the indigenous communities, and any who don’t live in big cities. Many speak both Spanish and Guaraní, and from what I understand, this is best for Paraguayans. Those who speak only Spanish can also be successful provided they live in a city. There are however, groups and communities in which only Guaraní is spoken. These groups are heavily discriminated against both socially and politically. I don't know much more than that, but it seems like this is generally true of indigenous communities around the world. Que lastima.