"SAO MIGUEL....the end of a Mission" São Miguel by pepples46

São Miguel Travel Guide: 11 reviews and 25 photos

based around the Jesuit Mission, the first reducao, Indian settlement, was founded in the early 17th century, 30 others followed. all in the new staates of Brasil, Argentina and Paraguay
in the north-eastern corner of Rio Grande do Sul/Brasil, close to the Town of Santo Angelo, one of the most impressive Jesuit Mission.

what started out as an independent indigenous and self governing Indian settlement and could have been an integration and a great achievment of human kind, all turned sour.
the chance in doing so was lost, when the catholic church in Rome feared, that the order of the Jesuits would become too powerful or too independent from the papal authority.
Spanish and Portugues forces attacked the Missions in the 1750's, secretly supported by Rome, forcing the Jesuits to leave and capturing the Indians for Slave labour, but many where killed, the Missions dissolved, or razed to the ground, abandoned to nature, surviving only as ruins.
the New Countries, Brasil, Argentina and Paraguay made great efforts to restore the bigger Missions

CLICK on the PIC

please visit San Ignazio Mini, an excellent page by my Friend Andrea

San Ignazio Mini

Ka't'ju, finds it quite alright on the Nurse's knees, but I got the wobble a little

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:historic evidence, does not mean we got it right

Intro Updated Feb 12, 2005
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Reviews (7)

the Bride and Brides Maiden - São Miguel

the Bride Local Customs (1)

and the Bridesmaid's. Margarida and I at a wedding at the Kainga tribe. tradition had it, the woman choosen the partner... more travel advice

village Favorites (3)

Village setting in the lower Jungle or Selva, hart to get too, the Guarani tribe prefered living away from white... more travel advice

the People Favorites (3)

while I worked on the Missao ( Mission )Indigena...Toldo Guarita, situated close to the Town of Tenente Portela and... more travel advice

how to get there Transportation (1)

around 500km from Porto Alegre by Car or Bus, long stretch I know. these days there is also a connection from Foz de... more travel advice

Things to Do (2)
See All the Mission II

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Comments (13)

KiKitC Dec 22, 2006 at 4:27 AM Report Abuse

Wow! Thank you for sharing such a magical place! Have a marvelous holiday!
wish-nu Oct 12, 2006 at 12:35 PM Report Abuse

made me think
jadedmuse Dec 20, 2005 at 9:15 PM Report Abuse

My laptop is acting up so I'm signing off...I'll be back to explore Brasil with you...I had no idea this was such a significant part of your past, I feel ridiculous. Eu volto amanha! xoxoM
willy_wonka Dec 12, 2005 at 9:39 PM Report Abuse

what a great page wal! you must have some wonderful memories from your time here. a touching page... xx
olja1234 Dec 17, 2004 at 2:07 PM Report Abuse

I am touched with the stories in your page. Excellent page - thanks for sharing.
Greybilby Oct 31, 2004 at 12:25 PM Report Abuse

what a story Wal, great expirience for you.
Bwana_Brown Oct 21, 2004 at 6:52 PM Report Abuse

Quite something that you lived and experienced here! Amazing Jesuit ruins too, I need to know more about their way of thinking. The white man was generally not good for indigenous people!
Waxbag Oct 20, 2004 at 12:13 PM Report Abuse

Your Guarani photos and stories are really fantastic. What an amazing experience to see into their lives. Thank you for sharing.
dvideira Oct 2, 2004 at 2:19 PM Report Abuse

What a experience you had in there, Wal. And I'm sure you made a difference for them either. Great pages -- as usual :-).
belgianchocolate Sep 29, 2004 at 10:06 PM Report Abuse

Sad story , great page. (have you got a picture of you and the horse? just being curious). frank