xingu
xingu Lexical Profile
• noun
South American A major river in northern Brazil that flows northward to join the Amazon River, renowned for its immense biodiversity and the presence of numerous protected Indigenous territories.
"The construction of the Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River has sparked widespread environmental and social concerns regarding the local ecosystem."
South American A collective term referring to the various Indigenous peoples who inhabit the Xingu Indigenous Park in the Mato Grosso state of Brazil.
"The annual Quarup festival is a major cultural event for the Xingu communities, honoring their deceased ancestors with traditional rituals and wrestling matches."
• Rhymes for xingu
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from an Indigenous language of the Amazon basin, adopted by early Portuguese explorers to name the major southeastern tributary of the Amazon River and the diverse Indigenous groups inhabiting its watershed.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.