Baniwa

Baniwa (also known with local variants as Baniva, Baniua, Curipaco, Vaniva, Walimanai, Wakuenai) are South American Indians, who speak the Baniwa language belonging to the Maipurean (Arawak) language family. They live in the Amazon Region, in the border area of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela and along the Rio Negro and its tributaries.

There are an estimated 5,811 Baniwa in Brazil, 7,000 in Colombia and 2,408 in Venezuela's Amazonas State, according to Brazil's Instituto Socioambiental, but accurate figures are almost impossible to come by given the nature of the rainforest.

Baniwa Indians rely mainly on manioc cultivation and fishing for subsistence. They are also known for the fine basketry they skilfully produce.