Indigenous peoples in French Guiana - 2019

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This report presents a review of the history, living and user areas, social and political structure, and cultural details of Indigenous peoples in French Guiana, with an emphasis on the Indigenous groups populating the east banks of the lower and upper Maroni River. French Guiana hosts six ethnically distinct Indigenous groups: Kali’na, Lokono, Palikur, Wayãpi, Teko and Wayana. The Maroni River watershed provides a home and sustenance to Kali’na, Lokono, Wayana and Teko. The Wayana are the only Indigenous group who live in close proximity of, and have established friendship relations with, bushinenge (Aluku). At present, an estimated 7,500 to 30,000 Indigenous individuals live in French Guiana, and their numbers appear to be growing.