Nhe’ẽ para os Guarani (Nhandeva e Mbya)

The terms nhe ́ẽ and aywu show similarities and contrasts in the uses that the Guarani Nhandeva and the Guarani Mbya make of them. Among the many meanings evoked by both, spirit, being, life, words, speech, sound stand out. If for Guarani Mbya, common speech is associated with the term aywu, among Nhandeva this term is used to refer to sacred words. Nhe ́ẽ, in turn, is the term used by the Nhandeva in common speech, while for the Guarani Mbyá it is used as sacred word. Without hardening distinctions, this text shows that, among the Nhandeva, nhe ́ẽ is also used as sacred word when referring to a spirit being or a feeling. In this text, I try to point out the importance of good speech for the construction of the Guarani person, a path (tape) for good living, teko porã.