Total population | |
---|---|
~83 [1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Brazil | 33 (1986) [1] |
Suriname | 50 (2001) [1] |
Languages | |
Sikiana, Tiriyó [1] | |
Religion | |
traditional tribal religion | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Salumá [1] |
The Sikiana are an indigenous people, living in Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela. [1]
The Sikiana in Brazil live between the Cafuini River and headwaters of the Turuna and Itapi close to border with Suriname. [2] The group in Suriname lives in Kwamalasamutu. [3] The group in Venezuela is probably extinct. [4]
The 1916 Encyclopaedia of the Dutch West Indies placed the Sikiana at the Trombetas River in Brazil, and said that they had a close relationship with the Salumá and the Tiriyó. [5]
The Sikiana are also called Chikena, Chiquena, Chiquiana, Shikiana, Sikiâna, Sikiyana, Sikiána, Sikïiyana, Tshikiana, Xikiyana, or Xikujana people. [1]
The Sikiana language belongs to the Carib language family. [1] The people in Suriname speak Tiriyó as a second language. [4] Some Sikiana people in Venezuela speak the Tiriyó. [1]