Traditional peoples in Brazil

Traditional Populations, Traditional Peoples or Traditional Communities, under Brazilian law, are groups that have a culture that is different from the prevailing local culture and that maintain a way of life closely linked to the natural environment in which they live. Through its own forms - social organization, the use of territory and natural resources (with a subsistence relationship) - its socio-cultural-religious reproduction using knowledge transmitted orally and in daily practice.

Officially, according to the Federal Government, to be recognized as traditional, it is necessary to carry out daily production practices based on sustainable development.  It is estimated that in Brazil around 4.5 million people are part of these communities, occupying 25% of the national territory.

The term "traditional peoples" is defined as a larger legal category which includes, but is neither exclusive nor replacing of, Brazil's indigenous peoples.