DBA ResourcesArmies of the Americas
Guarani The Guarani list begins in 1200 AD to mirror their principal enemy, the DBA Tupi list (DBA IV/29), and concludes in 1639 when they began recieving firearms and miliary training by Jesuit missionaries (many of whom were former soldiers) to help them resist the Paulista Mamalucos (slavers) of coastal Brazil. The Guarani were a populous collection of semi-nomadic tribes occupying southwestern Brazil, the Paraquay River basin, Bolivia, and the eastern pampas of Argentina. Culturally and linguistically akin to the Tupi of the Amazon basin, the Guarani were more settled, having evolved an agricultural way of life based on the cultivation of manioc, maize and sweet potatoes, supplemented by hunting and fishing. Cannabalism was reputed among the fiercer tribes. The Guarani are described by the Jesuits as being short and stoutly built, averaging just over five feet in heighth, and light skinned. Although they lacked any form of centralized government, the Guarani were able to raise large armies (20-40K) in their unsuccessful resistance to Spanish settlement. Although considered sedentary and not overly aggressive; they were known to be stubborn fighters. The Spanish and Portugese used Guarani troops on various occasions. Two thousand Guarani joined the expedition of Portuguese explorer Alejo García, who cross the Chaco region to raid the Inca borders in Bolivia until expelled by the reigning Inca, Huayna Cápac. The Guarani were eventually given a protected status under the Jesuits in 1609 AD and Catholic converts were resettled around 30 "reducciones" or reductions (missions). According to Guarani legend, their ancestors crossed a great ocean to settle in South America where they awaited the arrival of a tall, fair-skinned, blue eyed and bearded god (Pa' i Shume), who eventually descended from the skies, was pleased with what he found, and conferred the secret of "matte" tea, a beverage reputed to promote good health, vitality and longevity.
MiniaturesAny of the various Tupi ranges (Falcon UK, Grumpy's, etc.) can be employed. Guarani were known to paint themselves with yellow ocher and other colors and wear various adornments such as white beads, feather plumes, and copper plates. BUA and CampsTo depict a Guarani force on the move, a procession of bearers makes an appropriate camp subject. The Guarani lived in palisaded villages on river banks or cut into the tropical forests. The palliade encircled four to eight communal houses, each large enough to accomodate 10-15 families. Other ResourcesGeorge Smithson has put together a Guarani army list for DBR. Fanatici FeedbackForthcoming. | Top of Page | Armies of the Americas | DBA Resources | Variant list by Chris Brantley. Comments, questions or suggested additions to this page can be sent to brant@erols.com. Credit: Image of Marcos Tupã, modern Guarani chieftain in Brazil. Last Updated: August 26, 2002 |
