PreColumbian Peoples of Colombia: First Considerations
The other day thoughts of the indigenous people of Colombia came to mind. I could name only a very few of them. Still I had bits, pieces, and notions enough in mind to occupy me for some time. It came to me dimly that it could be useful to name them. They are not very evident in much of the country these days, but they are still here. Some manage to maintain some of their culture, some of their story, some of their history. I may call them Indians because of my history. It may be fair to call them American Indians. After all, everyone born in the Americas is an American.
I went online to find some names of Native Peoples of Colombia as one way of beginning to know them better. There was much to be found their. Mostly at wikipedia, but elsewhere too. At this time I found nothing from the Indian point of view, but names were abundant and there were some statistics. For example, I found that some authorities believe that there are over 140 "significant tribes" in the countries. I wondered if that included nations and confederations. They also believed that there were over twenty languages spoken today.
We can start with names:
Right now the larger tribes with some political power include Wayuu, Arhuaccos/Ijka, Kuna, Witoto, Paez, Tucano, Muisca, Guahibo, Pastos/Nasa, and Zenu. I gratefully accept and hope to publish corrections and additional information.
From the early 1500s Europeans, mostly Spaniards, were particularly impressed by a few indigenous groups which include the: Quimbayas who inhabited the western slopes of the central Andean range; The Chibcha speaking people such as the Muisca; And the Kalina Caribs. I have heard the Muisca spoken of. To these names we could add, so to speak, so muscle and blood, skin and bone.
A notable post divided the tribes into two groups, highlanders and lowlanders. The highlanders were those in the Andean ranges and the Santa Marta range. The lowlanders were in Choco, Amazonas, Guajira, and the Caribbean coast. In the highlands they counted 23 tribal groups and in the lowlands 65 tribal groups. An interesting division which does not seem particularly interesting.
I live in the Colombian department of Antioquia. A Colombian department is a bit like a US state. PreColumbian ethnic groups which still have some existence here include the: Dobida, Camebida, Eyabida, Embera, Tule, Senu/Zenu, Gunodule, and Kuna. I have never met anyone claiming any of these ethnicities. It is known that there are some Quimbaya around the what are now the cities of Sonson and Abejorral and beyond into what is now the Eje Cafetero. There were once many.
Ethnic groups which are remembered as important in Antioquia are Caribes and Chibcha speaking groups. Caribes included: Tahamies, Nutabes, and Chocoes. Chibcha speakers included Urabaes, Cunes, Ebejicos, Ituangos, Peques, Nores Guacas, Aburraes, and Sinefanes. Others I have noted as living in Antioquia are YamesiesCatios, Niquis, Musica, Sonsones, Quimbaya.
Indigenous language groups of Colombia include the great South america language family groups: Arawakan, Cariban, Quechuan, and Tupian. The great Chibchan family group here probably have Central American origins.
Different languages, histories, and world views:
Seven language groups local to Colombia and perhaps nowhere else: Choco, Guahibo, Saliba, Nadahup, Witoto, Bora, and Tucano.
Colombian language isolates not related to other groups: Andoque, Awa Pit, Cofan, Miska, Kamentsa, Paez, Ticuna, Yagua, and Yaruro. Who is studying these languages now? How did they get here? What is their source?
I hope that there is a knowledgeable someone reading this who can add information here or can update the little I have provided.I would like to see some more juicy details. Below is my attempt to suggest such detail.
There are and have been the Sotaira of the Chibcha speaking Muisca. some can be found in and around the municipality of Boyaca. Sotaquira is a place name among them. From the Chibcha sotaquira translates to english something like "Capital of the sovereign." There are Sotaira who can tell us about the Zipazco of Bacata and the Zacazco of Hunza. I suspect that Bacata refers to pre Columbian Bogota, the present Capital city of Colombia. Hunza is the ancient Chibcha name related to Tunja which is now the capital city of the department of Boyaca. I think Hunza referred to the sacred territories of the Muisca including Iraca.
By the time of Colombia's war for independence Sotaquira and the Muisca Confederation were not at the top of their form. But even then the people of the Sotaquira were able to ''donate" one hundred horses to the patriot army.
Thank you for reading. Read more below.
rcs
As A Way to Begin to Learn of Colombian "Indians" I Give Further Consideration of Their Names.
Naming the indigenous peoples of Colombia seems a useful move toward getting to know about them. Here, naming lists follow. As above you can learn more about these people here than just their names here. Of course this is just a beginning. I believe that it is and important beginning.
Getting to know about them is not exactly the same as getting to know them. Shaking hands with a Navajo and sitting for a good talk with him or her is different than watching a video or reading a book. There are a lot of Navajo in the US to speak with, but many of us have not done so. Here in Colombia it is often similar. On a visit to Colombia you think you do not see native precolumbian people, do not be too sure. With a closer look they can be seen.
The Indians of Colombia are of a variety of languages and cultures. Many are of mostly of Hispanic American culture and speak Spanish as their first language; many are not and do not.
Below I offer ''tribal" lists of much the same peoples listed above, but in bit different way.
The top five Indian language groups found in Colombia:
The following four groups are said to be of South American origin: Arawakan, Cariban, Quechuan, and Tupian.
This group of one is probably of Central American origin: Chibchan.
These seven cultures are found only in Colombia:
Choco, Guaahibo, Saliba, Nadahup, Witoto, Bora, and Tucano.
Ten Colombian isolates have been identified. They are tribes of a single culture and a single language:
Andoque, Awa, Pit, Cofan, Misak, Kamentsa, Paez, Ticuna, Yagua, andYaruro.
Other groups I have noted:
Catios,Niquias, Sonso, and Yamesies.
Quimbayas: In the 1500s they were a main grouping who inhabited the western slopes of the central Andean range and are still important. Some can be found around the present day municipios of Sonson and Abejorral and much of the Eje Cafetero. They include:
Tucano, Tule, Wanano, Wayuu, Witoto, Yagua, Yukpa, Yuri, Yuruti, and Zeno/Senu. This later seem to be native to Antioquia, especially the Aburra Valley.
Arhuaccos and Caribes are remembered as large important groups in Colombia:
Arhuaccos are said to be highlanders which are tribes of the Andean ranges and the Sierras of Santa. There are about 23 tribes called highlanders.
Caribes are considered to be lowlanders mostly of the Caribbean Coast, but are well known in Antioquia. Caribes include: Tahamis, Nutabes, and Chocoes.
Chibcha speakers make up and important cultural group of the highlands and include:
The Muisca, Urabaes, Cunas, Ebejicos, Ituagos, Peques, Nores, Guacas, Aburreaes, and Sinifanes.
I hope to live long enough to put some "meat on these bones."
I appreciate your corrections and additions. I will publish them and name you as a contributor if so wish.
Thank you for looking over this list.
rcs