The Last Charrúas Monument, Montevideo

The names of the last Charruas people alive on the planet were Senaque, Vaimaca-Piru, Guyunusa, and Tacuabe. All the other Charruas in the Uruguay area had been wiped out by the waves of European invasion. These four hapless survivors were taken to France to be "studied." They died in France, perhaps from terminal sadness.

The bronze Monument of the Last of the Charruas is in the Prado District, on Avenida Delmira Agustini. The sculpture was created by the Uruguayan artists Edmundo Prati, Gervasio Munoz, and Enrique Lussich. It was unveiled in 1938.

The figures are dressed in their traditional clothes. They are gathered around a fire and cauldron. Senaque, on the left, is seated, holding a cup of mate in his right hand. The cacique (chief), Vaimaca, stands behind. Guyunusa sits, nursing a child. In front of her is her husband, Tacuabe.

These four and the infant were all who survived the Massacre of Saispuedes, carried out by the militia of General Rivera in April 1831. The prisoners were taken to France to be exhibited as exotic savages. The remains of Vaimaca were mummified and returned to Uruguay.