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Xeta Indian Language (Sheta, Cheta)

Language: Xeta is a Tupi-Guarani language of South America. The tribe was dispersed by Brazilian settlers and no Xeta community remains today, although there are still Xeta descendants who remember some of their language and traditional culture.

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Names: "Xeta" was probably a name given to them by a neighboring tribe. Its original meaning is unknown. The Xeta themselves did not normally use a tribal name, instead identifying themselves by their band and clan names. Today the remaining people usually call themselves "Xeta" for convenience. They are also sometimes known as Yvaparé (their name in the Guarani language) or Botocudos (a Portuguese name refer

ring to their disc-shaped labret jewelry.) Alternate spellings of these names include Xetá, Seta, Setá, Ssetá, Setas, Sheta, Cheta, Chetá, Heta, Héta, and Hetá; Aré, and Notobotocudos.

Xeta Language Resources

Xeta Words:
Our list of vocabulary words in the Xeta language, with translation into English.

Xeta Phonology:
Linguistic chart of phonemes in the Xeta language.

La Lengua Shetá:
Profile of the Sheta language in Spanish, including a language map of Brazil.

A língua dos índios Xetá:
Journal paper on the Xeta language in Portuguese.

Endangered Languages Project: Xeta:
Bibliography of Xeta language resources.

Xeta Culture and History

Indigenous Peoples in Brazil: Xeta:
Online ethnography of the Xeta tribe.

Área Xetá:
Map showing the diminishment of Xeta territory in Brazil during the 20th century.

Botocudo Amerindians:

Redemption of the Botocudos:

Members of the Botocudo Tribe:
Information about the Botocudo tribes, including the Krenak, Xeta and Xokleng.

DNA study links indigenous Brazilians to Polynesians:
Genetics paper showing Polynesian ancestry among the Botocudos of Minas Gerais.

Links, References, and Additional Information

  OLAC: Xeta:
  Reference list of Xeta language materials.
  Wikipedia: Xeta:

Sorosoro: Xetá:
Encylopedia articles about the Xeta language.
Brazil Amazon Tribes:
Information and links about indigenous Brazilian culture and issues.
Os Xetá e suas histórias

Povo Xetá

Os Indios Xetas:

Tribo Xeta:
Information about the Xeta tribe and their language in Portuguese.

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