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Paraguay

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Tereré / Pohã ñana

the shared ritual of tereré and the culture of pohã ñana as a space of everyday social cohesion

Resilience Mechanism

Tereré / Pohã ñ ana A recurring shared pause maintains connection between people. It creates an accessible space for conversation, reciprocity, knowledge exchange and support, strengthening social and cultural continuity.

What It Means

In this context, Tereré is Paraguay’s traditional cold yerba mate infusion. The practice is connected with pohã ñana — medicinal plants and the traditional knowledge associated with their use. Its social function is most visible in tereré jere, the practice of sharing tereré within a group.

In homes, workplaces, markets and public spaces, the ritual creates regular opportunities for conversation, hospitality, information exchange and mutual support.

How It Works in a Crisis

When people gather regularly around tereré, social contact does not need to be built from scratch once a crisis occurs.

A familiar space already exists in which people can notice changes in someone’s condition, share information, ask about needs or offer assistance. During severe heat, economic pressure or social isolation, the shared pause maintains connection and allows practical information to circulate. It can help older people and other community members remain connected with family and social life.

  • What happens

    Heat, economic pressure or isolation

  • What we focus on

    A regular space for social contact

  • How we act

    Information is exchanged and needs noticed

  • What it gives

    People remain connected to shared life

A Lesson for Other Countries

Resilience is not formed only during an emergency.

Its foundation may lie in simple, repeated rituals that maintain regular contact, strengthen trust and create a habit of noticing the wellbeing of others. The lesson is not to copy a particular drink, but to create accessible spaces for everyday interaction.

Such practices do not replace social, medical or emergency services, but they help information, attention and support move more quickly through a community.

Such practices do not replace social, medical or emergency services, but they help information, attention and support move more quickly through a community.

Where It Comes From

The practice is rooted in Guaraní ancestral knowledge and has been transmitted through families, communities, plant cultivation and collection, crafts and everyday use. Yuyeras — predominantly women who know, prepare and sell medicinal plants — play a particularly important role.

The culture is also sustained by a wider network of plant collectors and growers, yerba mate producers, artisans and families. Its continuity lies in preserving cultural meaning while adapting to contemporary urban life.

What It Looks Like Today

Today, tereré jere takes place at home, at work, in markets, neighbourhoods and public spaces. The familiar gathering makes it possible to notice changes in someone’s condition, ask about needs, exchange practical information or offer help; during heat, economic pressure or isolation, it helps members of a community remain connected.

Limits of the Concept

Tereré / Pohã ñana should not be reduced to a beverage, tourist symbol or picturesque folkloric tradition.

The precarious conditions of some informal work supporting the practice should not be romanticised, and its transmission should not be attributed to yuyeras alone. Some plants have scientifically documented pharmacological properties, but this does not justify general therapeutic claims. Pohã ñana is not a substitute for professional healthcare. The resilience mechanism in this entry remains social: contact, dialogue, trust, reciprocity, knowledge transmission and support.

Dictionary Links

Related Terms

  • tereré jere

    sharing tereré within a group; pohã ñana

  • yuyeras

    traditional herbalists and plant vendors; Paseo de los Yuyos / Mercado 4

  • Guaraní ancestral knowledge; medicinal plant knowledge; intangible cultural heritage

  • community resilience; urban social cohesion; heat-health resilience; reciprocity

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