Wayana

Last updated • 8 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Wayana
Guyane 0042.jpg
Wayana man, 1979
Total population
1,500 [1] (2006)
Regions with significant populations
French Guiana
Suriname
Brazil
Languages
Wayana
Related ethnic groups
Aparai

The Wayana (alternate names: Ajana, Uaiana, Alucuyana, Guaque, Ojana, Oyana, Orcocoyana, Pirixi, Urukuena, Waiano etc.) are a Carib-speaking people located in the southeastern part of the Guiana highlands, a region divided between Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana. In 1980, when the last census took place, the Wayana numbered some 1,500 individuals, of which 150 in Brazil, among the Apalai, 400 in Suriname, and 1,000 in French Guiana, along the Maroni River. About half of them still speak their original language.

Contents

History

According to both oral tradition and descriptions by 20th century European explorers, the Wayana emerged fairly recently as a distinctive group; contemporary Wayana are considered an amalgation of smaller ethnic groups such as the Upului, Opagwana, and Kukuyana. [2] In the eighteenth century, the ancestors of the Wayana lived along the Paru and Jari rivers in contemporary Brazil, and along the upper tributaries of the Oyapock river, which nowadays forms the border between French Guiana and Brazil. [3]

The first recorded mentioning of the tribe was in 1769 across a Wayana village. [4] By the late 18th century, the ancestors of the Wayana were involved in an almost continuous military struggle with Tupi peoples such as the Wayampi, which drove them across the Tumuk Humak Mountains to the upper tributaries of the Litani river. [5] Around the same time, the Aluku maroons, who had fled plantations in Suriname, were driven up the Litani river by Dutch colonial forces aided by Ndyuka maroons, who had settled for peace with the colonial authorities in return for military assistance against "incursions" from new maroon groups. From that moment on, an intensive trade relationship developed between the Wayana and the Aluku, [6] and both tribes often living together in the same villages. [7] In 1815, the Aluku and Wayana became blood brothers. [8]

Over time, the Wayana migrated with the Aluku further downstream the Litani and Lawa rivers to end up in their contemporary position. In 1865, the Ndyuka granman Alabi invited a Wayana group still living along the Paru river in Brazil to join them along the Tapanahony river in Suriname, probably inspired by the arrangement with the Wayana that the Aluku had. This particular group still lives in villages along the Tapanahony and Palumeu rivers. [6]

Despite limited contacts with outsiders, imported diseases ravished the tribe in the early 20th century, and reduced the population to an estimated 500 to 600 people. [9] From 1962 onward, American missionaries from the West-Indies Mission, who had previously worked with the Tiriyó, encouraged the population to concentrate in larger villages and provided access to health care, schooling, and to make it easier to convert the population. [10] The French part of the interior used to be the Territory of Inini [11] which allowed for an autonomous and self sufficient tribal system for the native population without clear borders. [12] In 1968 the Wayana settlements in France became part of the Grand-Santi-Papaïchton community circle of French Guiana which became separate communes a year later. [13] Along with the commune, came a government structure, and francisation. [12] In the late 1980s, the Surinamese Interior War stopped development on the Suriname side and many fled to the French side of the border. [14] The late 20th and early 21st century marked the beginning of (eco)tourism, but also illegal gold mining. [15] Along with miners came the bars, prostitution, and gambling. The Maripasoula commune is sometimes referred to as "Far West" in the mainstream French media, because of its high crime rate. [16] [17]

Society and culture

Wayana society is characterized by a rather low degree of social stratification. Villages often comprise not more than one extended family and are rather loosely linked to their neighbouring villages by kinship ties, marital exchanges, shared rituals and trade. Missionaries and representatives of the state have only partially succeeded in grouping the Wayana together in larger settlements, and despite the fact that the Wayana are not as nomadic as before, villages are by no means permanent, and are often abandoned after the death of a leader. [18]

Villages are often led by a shaman or pïyai, who mediate Wayana contact with the world of spirits and deities, act as healers, and who are consulted in matters concerning hunting and fishing. Many Wayana villages still feature a community house or tukusipan.

Ëputop

Coming of age was for a long time associated with a ritual called ëputop or maraké, in which a wicker frame full of stinging ants or wasps was applied to the bodies of adolescent boys and girls, who emerged from the ceremony as adult men and women. While older Wayana still to a degree define their Wayanahood by the number of ëputop they underwent during their lifetime, many younger Wayana reject the necessity of undergoing ëputop to become a valued member of society. As a result, few ëputop ceremonies occur today. [19] One of the more recent ëputop ceremonies took place in 2004 in the village of Talhuwen, organized by Aïmawale Opoya, grandson of Wayana leader Janomalë, in consultation with French film director Jean-Philippe Isel, who made a documentary about the ritual. [20] [21] [22]

In spite of its demise, ëputop was listed on the inventory of intangible cultural heritage drawn up by the French Ministry of Culture in 2011.

Political organisation

Granman of the Wayana
Suriname
Incumbent
Aptuk Noewahe

since 1976 [23]
Residence Pïlëuwimë
French Guiana
Incumbent
Amaipotï

since 1985 [24]
Residence Kulumuli

Before contact with missionaries and state representatives, the Wayana did not recognise a form of leadership that transcended the village level. The Surinamese, French, and Brazilian states preferred to centralise their dealings with the Wayana, however, and for this purpose installed captains, head captains and granman among the Wayana leaders. As the concept of a paramount chief goes against Wayana ideas of political organisation, the authority of these chiefs beyond their own villages is often limited. [25] [26]

In Suriname, Kananoe Apetina was made "head captain" of the Wayana on the Tapanahony river in 1937, while Janomalë was made "head captain" of the Wayana on the Lawa and Litani rivers in 1938. After the death of Janomalë in 1958, Anapaikë was installed as his successor, and served as the leader of the Wayana on the Surinamese side of the Lawa river until he died in 2003. [27] Kananu Apetina died in 1975 and was succeeded by Aptuk Noewahe  [ nl ], who was recognised by the Surinamese government as the granman of all Wayana in Suriname until his death in 2023. The current head captain on the Lawa river is Ipomadi Pelenapïn  [ nl ], who was installed in August 2005. [26]

The current granman of the Wayana in French Guiana is Amaipotï, son of first granman Twenkë, who resides in the village of Kulumuli. [28]

Contemporary settlements

Suriname location map.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
    Tal.
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Iyaherai
Blue pog.svg
Manau
Blue pog.svg
Iliwa
Wayana settlements in Suriname and French Guiana and the northernmost villages in Brazil. In the, by Wayana standards, densely populated region of the Litani and Upper Lawa rivers only the most important settlements are indicated with a label.
PlaceCoordinatesInhabitantsRiverCountry
Lensidede 4°1′36″N54°19′58″W / 4.02667°N 54.33278°W / 4.02667; -54.33278 (Lensidede) 50 [29] Lawa Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Tedamali 3°39′6″N54°0′28″W / 3.65167°N 54.00778°W / 3.65167; -54.00778 (Tedamali) 100 [30] Lawa Flag of France.svg France
Élahé (Malipahpan) 3°27′54″N54°0′17″W / 3.46500°N 54.00472°W / 3.46500; -54.00472 (Élahé) 50 [30] Tampok Flag of France.svg France
Kayodé 3°23′23″N53°55′29″W / 3.38972°N 53.92472°W / 3.38972; -53.92472 (Kayodé) 70 [30] Tampok Flag of France.svg France
Kawemhakan (Anapaikë) 3°24′42″N54°1′33″W / 3.41167°N 54.02583°W / 3.41167; -54.02583 (Kawemhakan) 200 [29] Lawa Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Alawataimë enï 3°23′8″N54°2′36″W / 3.38556°N 54.04333°W / 3.38556; -54.04333 (Alawataimë enï) 25 [30] Lawa Flag of France.svg France
Talhuwen (Epoja) 3°22′54″N54°3′1″W / 3.38167°N 54.05028°W / 3.38167; -54.05028 (Talhuwen) 146 [31] Lawa Flag of France.svg France
Kulumuli (Twenkë) 3°23′1″N54°3′16″W / 3.38361°N 54.05444°W / 3.38361; -54.05444 (Kulumuli) 88 [31] Lawa Flag of France.svg France
Pïleike 3°23′13″N54°3′11″W / 3.38694°N 54.05306°W / 3.38694; -54.05306 (Pïleike) 0 [32] Lawa Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Kumakahpan 3°21′40″N54°3′31″W / 3.36111°N 54.05861°W / 3.36111; -54.05861 (Kumakahpan) 27 [29] Lawa Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Antecume Pata 3°17′53″N54°4′16″W / 3.29806°N 54.07111°W / 3.29806; -54.07111 (Antecume Pata) 175 [31] Lawa Flag of France.svg France
Palasisi (Wapahpan) 3°17′27″N54°5′1″W / 3.29083°N 54.08361°W / 3.29083; -54.08361 (Palasisi) 15 [33] Litani Flag of France.svg France
Pëleya 3°17′34″N54°5′22″W / 3.29278°N 54.08944°W / 3.29278; -54.08944 (Pëleya) 15 [33] Litani Flag of France.svg France
Palimino 3°17′35″N54°5′50″W / 3.29306°N 54.09722°W / 3.29306; -54.09722 (Palimino) 15 [33] Litani Flag of France.svg France
Pilima 3°17′11″N54°6′35″W / 3.28639°N 54.10972°W / 3.28639; -54.10972 (Pilima) 40 [30] Litani Flag of France.svg France
Tutu Kampu (Kulumuli) 3°34′38″N54°57′5″W / 3.57722°N 54.95139°W / 3.57722; -54.95139 (Tutu Kampu) 22 [34] Tapanahony Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Apetina (Pïlëuwimë) 3°30′37″N55°3′7″W / 3.51028°N 55.05194°W / 3.51028; -55.05194 (Apetina) 324 [29] Tapanahony Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Akani Pata 3°29′50″N55°3′53″W / 3.49722°N 55.06472°W / 3.49722; -55.06472 (Akani Pata) 20 [34] Tapanahony Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Paloemeu 3°20′43″N55°26′35″W / 3.34528°N 55.44306°W / 3.34528; -55.44306 (Paloemeu) 283 [29] Tapanahony Flag of Suriname.svg Suriname
Iyaherai 1°42′23″N54°59′22″W / 1.70639°N 54.98944°W / 1.70639; -54.98944 (Iyaherai) 43 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Manau 1°35′11″N54°55′14″W / 1.58639°N 54.92056°W / 1.58639; -54.92056 (Manau) 16 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Iliwa 1°22′36″N54°44′40″W / 1.37667°N 54.74444°W / 1.37667; -54.74444 (Iliwa) 11 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Maxipurimoine 1°16′41″N54°40′33″W / 1.27806°N 54.67583°W / 1.27806; -54.67583 (Maxipurimoine) 33 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Aldeia Bona / Apalaí (Karapaeukuru) 1°12′54″N54°39′21″W / 1.21500°N 54.65583°W / 1.21500; -54.65583 (Aldeia Bona) 288 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Murei 1°12′39″N54°37′47″W / 1.21083°N 54.62972°W / 1.21083; -54.62972 (Murei) 21 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Kapuimënë 1°11′43″N54°37′15″W / 1.19528°N 54.62083°W / 1.19528; -54.62083 (Kapuimënë) Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Tawaeukulu 1°9′8″N54°35′17″W / 1.15222°N 54.58806°W / 1.15222; -54.58806 (Tawaeukulu) 8 [36] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Aramapuku 1°7′4″N54°36′58″W / 1.11778°N 54.61611°W / 1.11778; -54.61611 (Aramapuku) 20 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Arawaka 1°2′57″N54°37′51″W / 1.04917°N 54.63083°W / 1.04917; -54.63083 (Arawaka) 37 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Tapauku 1°2′20″N54°38′37″W / 1.03889°N 54.64361°W / 1.03889; -54.64361 (Tapauku) 54 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Aliwemënë 1°1′57″N54°39′28″W / 1.03250°N 54.65778°W / 1.03250; -54.65778 (Aliwemënë) Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Kurupohpano 0°59′1″N54°36′5″W / 0.98361°N 54.60139°W / 0.98361; -54.60139 (Kurupohpano) 38 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Suisuimënë (Xuixuimënë) 0°51′12″N54°38′46″W / 0.85333°N 54.64611°W / 0.85333; -54.64611 (Suisuimënë) 74 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Jolokoman 0°41′59″N54°32′24″W / 0.69972°N 54.54000°W / 0.69972; -54.54000 (Jolokoman) 20 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Ananapiareh 0°37′16″N54°25′51″W / 0.62111°N 54.43083°W / 0.62111; -54.43083 (Ananapiareh) 36 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Kurimuripano 0°38′38″N54°20′39″W / 0.64389°N 54.34417°W / 0.64389; -54.34417 (Kurimuripano) 37 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Itapeky 0°34′50″N54°14′47″W / 0.58056°N 54.24639°W / 0.58056; -54.24639 (Itapeky) 25 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Purureh 0°35′13″N54°12′32″W / 0.58694°N 54.20889°W / 0.58694; -54.20889 (Purureh) 60 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Parahparah 0°29′15″N54°6′7″W / 0.48750°N 54.10194°W / 0.48750; -54.10194 (Parahparah) 46 [35] Paru Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil

Notes

  1. Heemskerk et al. 2007, p. 74.
  2. Boven 2006, p. 59.
  3. Boven 2006, p. 63.
  4. Boven 2006, p. 283.
  5. Boven 2006, pp. 63, 67.
  6. 1 2 Boven 2006, p. 77.
  7. Fleury 2018, p. 30.
  8. Fleury 2018, p. 32.
  9. Boven 2006, p. 44.
  10. Boven 2006, p. 45.
  11. "Création de territoire en Guyane françaises". Journal officiel de la Guyane française via Bibliothèque Nationale de France (in French). 18 June 1930. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  12. 1 2 "The Aluku and the Communes in French Guiana". Cultural Survival. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  13. "Parcours La Source". Parc-Amazonien-Guyane (in French). Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  14. Boven 2006, p. 46.
  15. Boven 2006, p. 47.
  16. "Pour l'or de Maripasoula" . Le Monde.fr (in French). 6 July 2001. Retrieved 6 June 2020. Far West is in the first paragraph which can be read without paying.
  17. "Guyane : se soigner au coeur de l'Amazonie". Rose Up (in French). 2 December 2019.
  18. "Wayana: social organisation". Povos Indígenas no Brazil. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  19. Boven 2006, pp. 147–156.
  20. Boven 2006, p. 154.
  21. "" Ëputop, un maraké wayana " Un film de Jean-Philippe Isel". Blada.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  22. "Eputop, un maraké wayana". Télérama.fr. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  23. Boven 2006, p. 108.
  24. Chapuis 2007, p. 184.
  25. "Wayana: political organisation". Povos Indígenas no Brazil. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  26. 1 2 Boven 2006, p. 243.
  27. Boven 2006, p. 168.
  28. Fleury, Opoya & Aloïké 2016, p. 90.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 "Dorpen en Dorpsbesturen". Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 Duin 2009, p. 138.
  31. 1 2 3 Duin 2009, p. 394.
  32. Duin 2009, p. 239.
  33. 1 2 3 Duin 2009, p. 139.
  34. 1 2 Heemskerk et al. 2007, p. 21.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Iori van Velthem Linke (2018). "Gestão territorial e ambiental nas terras indígenas do Rio Paru de Leste: um desafio coletivo no norte da Amazônia brasileira". University of Brasília (in Portuguese). p. 71. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  36. "Caracterização do DSEI Amapá e Norte do Pará, conforme Edital de Chamada Pública n. 2/2017 (item 3.1)" (PDF). portalarquivos.saude.gov.br. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2018.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maroni (river)</span> River in South America, forming the border between Suriname and French Guiana

The Maroni or Marowijne is a river in South America that forms the border between French Guiana and Suriname.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aluku</span> Maroon nation in French Guiana and Suriname

The Aluku are a Bushinengue ethnic group living mainly on the riverbank in Maripasoula in southwest French Guiana. The group are sometimes called Boni, referring to the 18th-century leader, Bokilifu Boni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cottica</span> Place in Sipaliwini District, Suriname

Cottica Lawa, often shortened to Cottica and also called Cotticadorp is a village in the district of Sipaliwini, Suriname. It is located in the east, along the Marowijne River and the border with French Guiana. The village has a school, and a clinic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tapanahony</span> Resort in Sipaliwini District, Suriname

Tapanahoni is a resort in Suriname, located in the Sipaliwini District. Its population at the 2012 census was 13,808. Tapanahoni is a part of Sipaliwini which has no capital, but is directly governed from Paramaribo. Tapanahony is an enormous resort which encompasses a quarter of the country of Suriname. The most important town is Diitabiki which is the residence of the granman of the Ndyuka people since 1950, and the location of the oracle.

Kawemhakan, formerly also known as Anapaikë, is a Wayana village in the Sipaliwini District of Suriname. The village lies on the banks of the Lawa River, which forms the border with French Guiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apetina</span> Place in Sipaliwini District, Suriname

Apetina, also known as Pïlëuwimë or Puleowime, is a village in the South Eastern jungle area of Suriname within the Tapanahony resort in the Sipaliwini District. It is located at 3°30′N55°04′W in the jungle on the small hills along the river Tapanahoni. Nearby points include Tebu Mountain, at around 347 m (1,138 ft) in height, and the Man Gandafutu waterfall. The majority of Apetina's population is the Wayana people. These Indians mostly originate from Brazil and once have fled because of tribal warfare. There also is primary school and an airstrip located near the Indian village of Apetina.

The Aparai or Apalai are an indigenous people of Brazil, who live in Amapá and Pará states. A little community is located in French Guiana, in Antecume Pata. They were sedentary slash-and-burn farmers, necessitating periodic relocation as soil became exhausted, but also hunters and gatherers. They spoke a Carib language and in the 20th century their subsistence shifted towards craftwork as they adapted to modern Brazil and the cash economy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papaichton</span> Commune in French Guiana, France

Papaichton is a commune in the overseas region and department of French Guiana. The village lies on the shores of the Lawa River. Papaichton is served by the Maripasoula Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granman</span> Paramount chiefs of Maroon nations in Suriname

Granman is the title of the paramount chief of a Maroon nation in Suriname and French Guiana. The Ndyuka, Saramaka, Matawai, Aluku, Paramaka and Kwinti nations all have a granman. The paramount chiefs of Amerindian peoples in Suriname are nowadays also often called “granman”.

Kulumuli, also known by the name Twenkë, is a Wayana village situated on an island in the Lawa River in French Guiana. Kulumuli is the residence of the granman of the Wayana in French Guiana.

Kayodé or Cayodé is a Teko and Wayana village on the Tampok River in French Guiana.

Talhuwen, also spelt as Taluwen, Taluhen and Taluen, is a Wayana village situated on the Lawa River in French Guiana.

Pëleya, also spelt as Péléa, is a Wayana village on an island in the Litani River.

Palimino is a Wayana village on the Litani River.

Alawataimë enï is a Wayana village situated on the Lawa River in French Guiana.

Palasisi, also named Mapahpan or Palassisi, is a Wayana village on an island in the Litani River. The village was founded by Wayanas who emigrated from Brazil.

Aldeia Bona or Aldeia Apalaí, sometimes also known by its native name Karapaeukuru, is an Apalaí-Wayana village on the Eastern Paru River in the state of Pará in Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kananoe Apetina</span> Granman of the Wayana in Suriname

Kananoe Apetina was a Wayana chief, who first in 1937 was recognized by the colonial authorities of Suriname as a captain, and who subsequently in 1952 was recognized by governor Jan Klaasesz as granman of the Wayana of the Tapanahony River in Suriname. Apetina died in 1975 and was succeeded as granman by Aptuk Noewahe in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boniville</span> Village in French Guiana, France

Boniville is a village of Aluku Maroons in the commune of Papaïchton located on the Lawa River in French Guiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malani (river)</span> River in French Guiana, France / Suriname

The Malani, also Marouini, is a river in the disputed area between French Guiana and Suriname. According to Suriname, it is the border river, however France considers the Litani the border. The river has its source at Pic Coudreau in the Tumuk Humak Mountains. It has its mouth at the confluence with the Litany at Antecume Pata and continues its journey as the Lawa River. The Malani has a length of 245 kilometres (152 mi).

References

Further reading