Tabajara

Tabajara (Portuguese pronunciation: [tabaˈʒaɾɐ]; plural: Tabajaras) are an Indigenous people of Brazil who lived on the easternmost portion of the Atlantic coast of northeast Brazil in the period before and during Portuguese colonization. Their territory extended from Ilha de Itamaracá to the mouth of the Paraíba River, as well as some territories in Piauí. Nowadays, they live in the states of Ceará, Paraíba and Piauí. The name means ''lord of the village'' from Tupi-Guarani taba village, and jara lord.

Tabajara

A Tabajara warrior, named François Carypyra. Engraving by Claude d'Abbeville, 1614
Total population
1,000 (2017)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Brazil ( Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí)
Languages
Portuguese, Tupi, French (17th century)
Related ethnic groups
Tupi

Distribution of indigenous groups on the Brazilian coast in the 16th century

During the colonial period, populations of Indians, Tabajara among them, were decimated by being slaughtered by the colonists, driven inland, enslaved, dying of European-introduced diseases and intermarrying.

They currently live in the regions of Poranga, Monsenhor Tabosa, Tamboril, Crateús and Quiterianópolis and in the backcountry of Ceará.

History

The Tabajaras were allies of the French during their occupation of Maranhão Island (now the city and island of São Luis) in 1612–1615.