 Indian Day inManga (2017) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ca. 2,922[1] (2014) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Brazil (Amapá) | |
| Languages | |
| Karipúna French Creole, Portuguese | |
| Religion | |
| Animism (traditionally) |
TheKaripuna do Amapá (also:Karipúna) are an indigenous people located in the riverine areas of theBrazilian state ofAmapá, particularly around theCaripi River. In 2014, the population was estimated at 2,922 people.
The Amerindians use the term Karipuna, because they are mixed or civilized Amerindians.[1][2] The tribe is the result of several migrations, and mixing with non-indigenous people.[3] The main groups being Amerindian, French Guianese, Saint Lucian Arabs, and Chinese. In 1830, theCabanagem Revolt resulted in the migration from the mouth of theAmazon River to the region.[2] The Karipuna had long been in contact withFrench Guianese which intensified during thegold rush of 1854 inApprouague.[4] They used to speak the now extinctKaripúna do Uaçá language, but by 1900,Karipúna French Creole had taken over.[2][5]
.jpg)
The borders between French Guiana and Brazil were not clear, and therefore, the area between theAmazon and theOiapoque was considered a neutral territory. In 1886, the unrecognisedRepublic of Independent Guiana was proclaimed in the disputed area.[6] In 1897, France and Brazil asked Switzerland to settle the border dispute.[7] In 1900,[8] the Swiss awarded most of the territory to Brazil.[7]
At the start of the 20th century, there were about 150 Karipuna.[9] In the 1920, the Brazilian government started to exert control over the "frenchified" Amerindians in the Oiapoque region, and embarked on a colonization program which failed in 1925. In 1934, a teacher was sent to the Caripi River to establish a school. In the 1970s, the Amerindians in the Oiapoque banded together, and formed a political action groups. This resulted in the demarcation byFUNAI of a common area of 5,181 km2 for thePalikur, theUaçá Galibi, and the Karipuna do Amapá.[1] In 1992, Apoio was established as a political association for all tribes in the region.[10]
The Karipuna are spread over 16 settlements.[11] Most of the settlements are along theCaripi River. Some villages like Piquiá and Curipi have been established along theBR-156 highway.[1] The largest settlements areManga (1,075), Espírito Santo (657) and Santa Isabel (382).[12] The villages of Kunanã and Uahá are shared with theGalibi Marwono.[11] There is an unpaved road from Manga to the BR-156.[13]
Karipuna have started to migrate toOiapoque.[14] The opening of theOyapock River Bridge has accelerated the migration to the urban area aroundCayenne, and led to the founding ofRésidence Arc-en-ciel.[9]
The main languages spoken by the Karipuna areKaripúna French Creole andPortuguese.[1][3] French Creole is also used as a common language with the Palikur and the Uaçá Galibi.[3] The language originally spoken by the Karipuna wasPalikúr.[15]
The economy is mainly based on fishing and subsistence farming.[1]
2016 population figures including other tribes/ethnicities
| |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
