Piribebuy facts for kids
Piribebuy (which means Pirĩvevúi in the Guarani language) is a town and district in the Cordillera Department of Paraguay. This town grew naturally over time, but some people believe it was founded by Martin Ledesma de Valderrama in 1636. Because the original founding papers were lost in a big war, March 8, 1636, was later chosen as its official establishment day.
Piribebuy is well-known for its beautiful church, "Dulce Nombre de Jesus," also called "Ñandejará Guasu." The town also has a small history museum. This museum displays items from the Paraguayan War (also known as the War of Triple Alliance), showing how important Piribebuy was in that conflict. You can also find items from the Chaco War and the time when Paraguay was a colony.
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A Look Back: Piribebuy's History
Piribebuy was once known as Capilla Guasú. We don't know its exact founding date because it likely grew on its own. Also, important documents were destroyed during a major battle on August 12, 1869. In the early days, Piribebuy was a resting spot for travelers and a place to change horses for mail delivery. In 1744, a Franciscan priest named Gaspar de Medina built a church here. It was dedicated to Santo Cristo de los Milagros, which is called Ñandejara Guasu in Guarani.
During the Paraguayan War, Piribebuy became the third capital of Paraguay starting on December 8, 1868. On August 12 of the next year, a huge battle took place. About 1,600 poorly armed men, many of them just children, bravely fought for five hours. They were trying to stop 20,000 soldiers from Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay from taking the town. Even though they fought hard, they were eventually defeated. After the battle, the local hospital was burned, and many prisoners were sadly executed.
What's in a Name?
The name Piribebuy comes from the Guarani language, specifically pirĩ vevuĩ. This phrase can mean either "smooth sensation" or "shivers." People think the name describes the area because it has many cool streams and refreshing breezes.
Another idea is that the name comes from píri vevúi, which means "light reeds" or "light straws." This makes sense because the Guarani people often named places after plants. The Piribebuy River, which starts in this town, flows into the Paraguay River in an area full of reeds.
Where is Piribebuy?
Piribebuy is located between two main roads, Route II and Route I. It's about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Route I. You can reach it by taking the Rogelio R. Benítez branch road, which connects with Route I at the 64-kilometer (40-mile) mark.
Parts of the Town
The town of Piribebuy is divided into smaller areas called barrios (boroughs). These include Centro, Santa Ana, San Blas, Maria Auxilliadora, and Virgen de Rosario.
Beyond the main town, the district also has many compañias (sub-municipalities). Some of these are 4 de Julio, Cañada, Capilla Cué, Chololó, Colonia Piraretá, Cordillera, Guasú Rocái, Ita Guyrá, Itá Moroti, Itá Moroti Guasu, Itá Moroti'i, Itapé, Ita Ybú, Mcal. Estigarribia, Mcal. Lopéz, Naranjo, Ojopoi, Pasito, Paso Jhú, Presidente Franco, Tape Guasú, Yacarey, Yataity, Yhaca, Yhagui Guasú, Yhaguymi, Ykuá Porá, and Yruguá.
The way the name is spelled changed over time. This happened because the spoken Guarani name was written down using Spanish spelling rules.
People of Piribebuy
According to a census in 2002, Piribebuy district had a total population of 19,594 people. Almost half of these people, 9,617, lived in the urban area of the town.
How Piribebuy Makes Money
Tourism is very important to Piribebuy's economy. Many people visit the town to enjoy its beautiful natural surroundings and learn about its rich history.
Piribebuy is also famous for its special handmade crafts. The most well-known is the Poncho Para´í, also called the "Poncho of 60 stripes." The unique way to make these ponchos has been passed down through families for many generations.
Getting Around
The town of Piribebuy is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from National Route N° 2. This important road connects Coronel Oviedo with Asunción, which is the capital city of Paraguay.
Special Saints
Piribebuy has two patron saints, who are celebrated with special days. The first is Ñandejará Guasu, whose day is January 18. The second is Saint Blaise, celebrated on February 3.
See also
In Spanish: Piribebuy para niños
