26
occupy a very extensive territory. The Yakye Axa Community is this type of
traditional society of hunter-gatherers.22
50.4. Traditional occupation of territory by the indigenous peoples of the Chaco is
reflected primarily in the names given to specific places within that territory, such as
periodical settlement sites, water deposits, lakes, small forest areas, palm tree
areas, ‘espatillares,’ gathering and fishing areas, cemeteries, and so forth. These
geographical points are retained in the historical memory of indigenous peoples such
as the Southern Lengua Enxet.23
50.5. The lands now claimed by the Yakye Axa Indigenous Community as part of
their traditional territory are in the area previously occupied by the Chanawatsan. In
their land claim the Community has stated that it includes what are known as the
Loma Verde, Maroma, and Ledesma estates.24
50.6. According to the anthropological report prepared for the instant case (infra
para. 50.35), within Estancia Loma Verde, specifically, there are several places with
names that remain in the memory of the members of the Yakye Axa Community,
including:
Enmakxa Yaktépa (the squash place), Xakma Páye (the place with many
mosquitos), Xakma Yawhan (the place with many wasps), Yexnakxa Xenaj
Apkátek (the place of the hanging deer head), Yexnaka Xápen (de place of the
hanging rhea), Yakye Axa (the palm tree area), Apmésamakxa Yátey Apketkok
(the place where the kid was burned).25
50.7. According to the 2002 census, the Yakye Axa Community is constituted by
319 individuals, grouped into roughly 90 families.26
22
See anthropological report on the “Yakye Axa” (Loma Verde) Community of the Enxet-Lengua
people. Anthropological Studies Center at Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” (file with
appendixes to the application, appendix 9, volumes 1272 to 1277), statement by Alberto Braunstein
rendered before a notary public on February 11, 2005 (file on the merits, reparations, and costs, Volume
III, volumes 700 to 712); testimony of Esteban López rendered before the Inter-American Court during
the public hearing held on March 4, 2005; testimony of Tomás Galeano rendered before the InterAmerican Court during the public hearing held on March 4, 2005, and testimony of Inocencia Gómez
rendered before the Inter-American Court during the public hearing held on March 4, 2005.
23
See statement by Alberto Braunstein rendered before a notary public on February 11, 2005 (file
on the merits, reparations, and costs, Volume III, volumes 700 to 712); testimony of Stephen William
Kidd rendered before the Inter-American Court during the public hearing held on March 4, 2005, and
anthropological report on the “Yakye Axa” (Loma Verde) Community of the Enxet-Lengua people.
Anthropological Studies Center at Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” (file with
appendixes to the application, appendix 9, volumes 1272 to 1277).
24
See letter by Tomás Galeano on October 5, 1993 addressed to the president of the Instituto de
Bienestar Rural (file with appendixes of the application, appendix 4, volumes 488 to 496).
25
See anthropological report on the “Yakye Axa” (Loma Verde) Community of the Enxet-Lengua
people. Anthropological Studies Center at Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” (file with
appendixes to the application, appendix 9, volumes 1272 to 1277).
26
See census of the Yakye Axa Indigenous Community (file with appendixes to the application,
appendix 5, volumes 1250 to 1257), and book entitled “II Censo Nacional Indígena de población y
viviendas 2002. Pueblos Indígenas del Paraguay. Resultados finales”, Presidency of the Republic, Technical
Planning Secretariat. Paraguay, 2002 (file with documents submitted during the public hearing held on
March 4 and 5, 2005, page 658).