The Patamona are an Amerindian people native to the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana and northern Brazil.[2] They speak a Cariban language, Kapóng, and have often been referred to interchangeably as Akawaio or Ingariko. Patamona are considered a sub-group of Kapon people.[3]
 Patamona people, 1908 or earlier | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 5,698[1] (1990) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Guyana, Brazil | |
| Guyana | c. 5,500 (1990)[1] |
| Roraima (Brazil) | 198 (2014)[1] |
| Languages | |
| Patamona language | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Akawaio and Pemon | |
There are about 5,000 living members of this and closely related ethnic groups in Guyana.[2] A 1990 population estimate for Guyana was 5500. According to FUNASA, Brazil had 120 Patamona in 2010. They were recognized as a distinct ethnic group in Brazil since 2005.[4]: 19
History
editThey are known archaeologically from pottery collections in the Yawong Valley and the upper Siparuni River. These collections suggest an affiliation with Akawaio groups in the 19th century. The burial urn guarded by a serpent is a characteristic artifact of Patamona pottery.[5] Pottery was traded for cassava graters made by other Carib groups up until the 20th century.[4]: 18
The region was exploited until recently for suitable farm lands, hunting and fishing. The Patamona were not contacted until the early 19th century.[6]
To this day, the Patamona people call themselves the People of the Heavens,[7] whose remnants of their culture survive in Paramakatoi, as well as nearby Kaieteur Falls.
Villages
edit
In Guyana, residents of Paramakatoi and some other villages are literate in English and Patamona.[2] Other villages with Patamona populations include Campbelltown,[8] Micobie,[9] Monkey Mountain,[10] Princeville,[8] and Kato.[11]
Orinduik is a Patamona village along the Maú River.[4]: 19
In Brazil, the Patamona have a minority presence in Raposa Serra do Sol.[12]
Culture
editKaieteur Falls is an important cultural site for the Patamona people. Kaieteur Falls has been named after Old Kaie, a member of the Patamona tribe.[13] In their animist religion the Patamona believe in Knaima, a spirit that possesses people and turns them into evil beings.[14]
Common agricultural products include bitter cassava, yam, sweet potato, sugarcane, chili pepper, squash. Bitter cassava is used to make kasiri and pajuaru. Kasiri is a lightly fermented cassava drink consumed at breakfast, while pajuaru has a longer fermentation and is a festive drink. Fish are often eaten, and can be dry smoked.[4]
Culinary practices are similar to other indigenous people of the region, including preparation of the Guyanese pepperpot, called tuma in Patamona. Food is also steamed by packaging them in leaves and setting them beside a fire. They also gather wild mushrooms for consumption, including amanita perphaea (or pulutukwe), Cookeina (agubana), Lentinula boryana (kapiokwok) and certain clavulina also known as kunmudlutse and tepurumeng.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Patamona". Socio Ambiental (in English and Portuguese). Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Patamona. Caribbean Indigenous and Endangered Languages Project. University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica.
- ^ "Collections Online | British Museum". www.britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
- ^ a b c d Katz, Esther; Kleiche‐Dray, Mina (2013). "Dynamic processes in the use of natural resources and food systems by indigenous and mestizo communities in Mexico and Brazil" (PDF). www.engov.eu. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
- ^ "OF PAKARAIMAS AND PATAMUNAS". Guyana Chronicle via Land of Six People. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Indigenous peoples of Guyana". Minority Rights. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
- ^ "Pakaraima bound". Caribbean Beat. Vol. 144. March 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Campbelltown-Princeville residents petition for removal of Village Council". Guyana Times. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Joanna Dhanraj (12 January 2021). "Micobie". Stabroek News. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Magnificent Monkey Mountain". Guyana Times International. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Stranger in Kato". Guyana Chronicle. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Terra Indígena Raposa Serra do Sol". Terras Indigenas.org (in Portuguese). Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Amerindian nations". Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Kanaima". Native Language. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- ^ Henkel TW, Aime MC, Chin M, Andrew C (2004). "Edible mushrooms from Guyana". Mycologist. 18 (3): 104–11. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.637.9364. doi:10.1017/S0269915X04003027.