Banawá

For the language, see Banawá language.

Not to be confused with the Baniwa people.

The Banawá (also Banawa, Banavá, Jafí, Kitiya, Banauá) are an indigenous group living along the Banawá River in the Amazonas State, Brazil. Their territory is between the Juruá and Purus Rivers.^[1] Approximately 158 Banawá people live in one major village and two smaller settlements containing a single extended family each. The Banawá, who call themselves Kitiya, speak Banawá, a dialect of the Madi language.

Banawá

Total population
207 (2014)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Brazil ( Amazonas)
Languages
Banawá, a dialect of Jamamadí
Religion
Traditional tribal religion, Protestantism[1]
Related ethnic groups
Jamamadi

History

Their territory was invaded at the end of the 19th century, during the rubber boom. In the 1990s, Brazil formally recognized their land rights.^[1]