Total population | |
---|---|
~83[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
![]() | 33 (1986)[1] |
![]() | 50 (2001)[1] |
Languages | |
Sikiana, Tiriyó[1] | |
Religion | |
traditional tribal religion | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Salumá[1] |
The Sikiana are an indigenous people, living in Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela.[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]
The Sikiana are also called Chikena, Chiquena, Chiquiana, Shikiana, Sikiâna, Sikiyana, Sikiána, Sikïiyana, Tshikiana, Xikiyana, or Xikujana people.[1]
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]