Independence of Paraguay

The first permanent Spanish settlement in Paraguay was Asuncion (which was founded in 1537). Paraguay was dominated by the Jesuits who in their way tried to protect the indigenous people from Spanish brutality. They put the natives to work and converted them. This went on for about the next two hundred years after Asuncion was founded.

In 1776 Buenos Aires became independent and wanted Paraguay to be part of its kingdom. In 1810 Argentina asked Paraguay to declare independence alongside them but to also let them lead. Paraguay rejected Argentinian leadership.

After Paraguay declared independence (but did not accept being ruled by Argentina) Argentina sent an expedition to defeat and tame the Paraguayans. This expedition was decisively defeated.

In 1811 the last royal governors of Paraguay were ejected and Paraguay became a fully independent country. The Paraguayan Independence Day is August 15, 1811.

More sources:

Very Useful History of Paraguay Article

Brief history of South America shown on a Map

Paraguay is Bilingual

The Guarani language was originally spoken by the Guarani people that lived in most of the Paraguayan territory and parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

The Guarani language is spoken by millions in Paraguay and also in (but in a much smaller percentage) in Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. About two-thirds of Paraguay speaks it and there are all Guarani television shows and literature.

In Paraguay, thousands of people only know how to speak Guarani. This is usually in remote areas were the Guarani people were predominate. But Guarani is spoken everywhere in the country. It is even taught in schools but there is still not much emphasis on it.

The Guarani language is very important in Paraguay. It is one thing that sets the country apart and makes it special. It is also integrated into the culture (music, literature, humor, gastronomy, etc) of the country with thousands speaking a mixture of Spanish and Guarani. It is a beautiful and poetic sounding language that the country needs to treasure and encourage. Also, the people that first spoke Guarani need to be protected and valued.

In 1992 Guarani received official recognition as a state language. The language has come a long way from being seen a savage or primitive language.

Example of Guarani (a Guarani teacher speaking)

The Guarani

The Guarani were an important group of people that lived in Paraguay, parts of Argentina and parts of Brazil. They were semi-nomads so they never really built many structures. The guarani started settling in the area of Paraguay 5,000-3,000 years ago.

The Guarani were not very tall but were muscular. They had a rich culture of story telling, artesany, knowledge of medicine (especially herbal), hunting, warefare and some agriculture.

The first known contacts between the Spanish and the Guarani ocured in 1537 when Gonzalo de Mendoza came up the Paraguay River. He founded Asuncion which would become the capital of Paraguay. The Guarani were composed of many groups that never united to face the Spanish. They were easily conquered and also ravaged by disease (brought by the Spanish). The Guarani were enslaved by the Spanish and there was also a policy of intermarriage that was put in effect by the first governor of Asuncion. Like all over South and Central America, this is were the mestizos came from.

Currently the Guarani live in poverty and are spread around the country. Many times they have nothing else to live in but makeshift huts. They have lost most of their lands and sadly they have to go to the cities (especially Asuncion) to beg and sell their artesanal products. Drug addiction is high among them (especially in the city). The Guarani language is one of the treasures that these people have left for Paraguay and much of the country speaks it (and became the second official language of the country).

Images and information on the Guarani people