The present study examines a network of indigenous peoples affiliated to the Maxakali linguistic family during one century. The study starts at the formation of a single group known as “Aldeia do Capitão Tomé” (Capitain Tome's village) in the 1700s, which would later be fragmented in many sub-groups identified by many different ethnonyms. This novel interpretation gives visibility to the existence of this network, distinguishing it from other known networks of peoples affiliated to the Botocudo linguistic family (Naknenuk and Giporok), which co-occupied the same region in the 1800s. It is also discussed how the state and indigenous strategies are entrenched in the identity reconfiguration processes of these peoples.