Which Gran Chaco peoples were known as foot Indians?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

In the context of the Gran Chaco, historic tribes are often categorized based on their adoption of the horse following the Spanish conquest. Those who did not adopt the horse and continued to travel primarily on foot were known as foot Indians.1

Among the groups identified as foot Indians were:

  • The Zamuco, located in the northeast.1
  • The Wichí, located in the central Chaco.1

These groupings each consisted of a number of individual tribes that maintained traditional nomadic patterns, distinct from the mounted bands—such as the Abipón, Mocoví, and Caduveo—that emerged as horsemen and raiders in the region.12