Sikiana

For the language, see Sikiana language.

The Sikiana are an Indigenous people, living in Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela.^[1]

Sikiana

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 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]

Name

The Sikiana are also called Chikena, Chiquena, Chiquiana, Shikiana, Sikiâna, Sikiyana, Sikiána, Sikïiyana, Tshikiana, Xikiyana, or Xikujana people.^[1]

Language

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]