The Achagua (also Achawa and Axagua) are an indigenous people of Colombia and Venezuela.[1] At the time of the Spanish colonization of the Americas, their territory covered the present-day Venezuelan states of Bolívar, Guárico and Barinas.[2] In the late twentieth century there were several hundred Achaguas remaining.[2]

Achagua
Regions with significant populations
Colombia, Venezuela
Languages
Achagua
Religion
Traditional religion
Related ethnic groups
Guahibo, U'wa, and Other Arawakan-speaking peoples
Especially Baniwa, Tariana, and Tegua

Municipalities belonging to Achagua territories

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Name Department Altitude (m)
urban centre
Map
Támara
(shared with U'wa)
Casanare 1156
 
Nunchía
(shared with U'wa)
Casanare 398
 
Yopal Casanare 390
 
Aguazul
(shared with Tegua)
Casanare 290
 
Tauramena Casanare 460
 
Recetor
(shared with Tegua)
Casanare 800
 
Chámeza
(shared with Tegua)
Casanare 1150
 
Paya Boyacá 970
 
Labranzagrande
(shared with U'wa & Guahibo)
Boyacá 1210
 

Culture

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Achagua people live in large villages. Clans live together in communal houses. Polygamy is commonplace. They farm crops, such as bitter cassava. They traditionally poison their arrows with curare.[1]

There is a small town in Apure called Achaguas.[clarification needed]

Language

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Achagua people speak the Achagua language, a Maipurean Arawakan language.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Achagua." Encyclopædia Britannica. (retrieved 1 December 2011)
  2. ^ a b James Stuart Olson (1991), The Indians of Central and South America: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary, Greenwood Publishing Group. p2
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