Introduction / History

The Cuiba people of South America call themselves "Wamonae." The majority of them live in the Colombian rainforest. About a third of the tribe lives in southern Venezuela near the Colombian border. The Cuiba people have traditionally been hunter-gatherers. Several attempts to displace them have been unsuccessful, and they continue to live on their traditional lands. However, they have been forced to settle in smaller territories which has required that they adapt to farming as well. The Cuiba language is the primary language of only about 2,000 people. Some Cuiba men speak Spanish enabling them to communicate with outsiders.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Cuiba make their homes along the banks of several rivers. Fishing is important to them, as well as hunting. The men hunt monkeys, birds and wild pigs for their meat. Women gather fruit and roots that grow wild nearby. Women make several handcrafts from materials they find in nature. The Cuiba people sell handcrafts and any excess fish to buy things they cannot make for themselves, such as metal tools.

The Cuiba tend to marry among themselves. Life expectancy is low due to the lack of modern medicine. TB, Whooping Cough, flu and parasites are common illnesses. Many children die before their tenth birthday.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Cuiba people are animists who believe in the spirit world rather than the power of the God of the Bible. Animists believe that spirits inhabit natural objects such as trees, rivers, rocks, animals, and the sky. The village shaman connects the Cuiba to

What Are Their Needs?

The Cuiba have a history of people from outside taking advantage of them. On one occasion not many decades ago, members of the tribe were lured away and killed in an effort to steal their land. There may be an understandable mistrust of outsiders, includi

Prayer Items

Pray for a movement that will bless the Cuiba people with a relationship with Jesus Christ, who offers life to the full.
Pray that the Cuiba believers will be strengthened in their faith and share the good news with their family and friends.
Pray the Cuiba would know peace and protection from those who wish to take advantage of them.
Pray the Cuiba would have adequate health care and education that respects their community.

Scripture Prayers for the Cuiba in Venezuela.

References

https://www.britishcouncil.co/en/sowing-our-knowledge/cuiba/about-cuiba-people