Chiricoa in Colombia

The Chiricoa have only been reported in Colombia
This people group’s population is unknown or estimated to be extremely small. This people group may have assimilated into larger surrounding groups and may no longer be recognizable as a distinct group. To ensure every people group is represented, Joshua Project includes unknown and very small population people groups until on-site research determines they do not exist. More info at Small People Group Policy.
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Chiricoa are a small people group living near the Ele River and in Arauquita. Previously a sizeable nomadic group, they were decimated by disease and their numbers dwindled. They are a sub-tribe of the Guahibo. Their name comes from the term the Yaruro Indians use for the Guahibo. Because they lived far isolated from the rivers used by European colonizers, they were more successful in surviving contact with them.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They live off the land. They use hallucinogenic plants in their rituals and ceremonies. One such ceremony is the Prayer to the Fish for naming and initiating members into the tribe. In this ceremony a young woman is welcomed into adulthood. They observe two funerals. The first is very simple and the second more complex. Theirs is a patriarchal society. When sons begin to have families, they build houses separate from their parents. They value intergenerational family relationship ties rather than individualism.

They are foragers more than agriculturalists. Though cassava is their main staple, they supplement this with many different kinds of vegetables and fruits.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Chiricoa in Colombia.


References

http://www.todacolombia.com/etnias-de-colombia/grupos-indigenas/chiricoa.html
Olson, James Stuart, "The Indians of Central and South America: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary", Greenwood Press, Westport, 1991, p 88.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chiricoa
People Name in Country Chiricoa
Alternate Names
Population this Country 20
Population all Countries 20
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 20301
ROP3 Code 116029
Country Colombia
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 34  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Arauca department: Cravo Norte municipality; Casanare department: Betania, El Merey, Esmeralda, Mochuelo, San José de Ariporo, and Santa María on Capanaparo river and tributaries; Vichada department: Meta river south bank.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Colombia
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 34  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Arauca department: Cravo Norte municipality; Casanare department: Betania, El Merey, Esmeralda, Mochuelo, San José de Ariporo, and Santa María on Capanaparo river and tributaries; Vichada department: Meta river south bank..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
10.00 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Cuiba (20 speakers)
Language Code cui   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Chiricoa
Dialect Code 9040   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Cuiba (20 speakers)
Language Code cui   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Chiricoa
Dialect Code 9040   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Cuiba
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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