The Tiriyó (also known as Trio) are an Amerindian ethnic group native to parts of northern Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana. In 2014, there were approximately 3,640 Tiriyó in the three countries.[1][2][3] They live in several major villages and a number of minor villages in the border zone between Brazil and Suriname. They speak the Tiriyó language, a member of the Cariban language family and refer to themselves as tarëno, etymologically 'people from here' or 'local people'.[3]

Tiriyó (Trio)
A Tiriyó man and woman from Brazil
Total population
3,640[1]
Regions with significant populations
Brazil, Suriname
Brazil1,715 (2014)[1]
Suriname1,845 (2006)[1]
Guyana>80 (2014)[2]
Languages
Tiriyó language
Religion
Traditional, Christian (Catholic in Brazil, Protestant in Suriname)

History

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Photo taken during the 1904 Tapanahony Expedition

The modern Tiriyó are formed from various different indigenous communities; some of these, such as the Aramixó, are mentioned in European writings as early as 1609–1610.[4] Many of the now-Tiriyó groups lived between Brazil and French Guiana until they were driven out by the Oyampi, a Tupi-Guaranian group allied with the Portuguese. Together, the Portuguese and Oyampi drove these groups westward, and they mingled with the groups that were in the area to form the modern Tiriyó group.[4]

As such, the Tiriyó established contact relatively early with runaway slave groups that settled in the area around the end of the 18th century. They maintained regular commercial relations with one group, the Ndyuka, and for many years they were the only contact the Tiriyó had with foreign populations.[4] The first recorded contact between the Tiriyó and a European took place in 1843 between a ‘Drio’ village and Robert Schomburgk; this and the meeting between French explorer Jules Crevaux and a few ‘Trio’ were the only two points of contact between Tiriyó and Europeans in the 19th century.[4] The expeditions in the interior of Suriname in the early 20th century did observe Tiriyós, however they tended to flee when approached, and no useful information could be gathered.[5] In 1907, De Goeje managed to make contact in the Tumuk Humak expedition resulting in the first dictionary of the Tiriyó language.[5]

Subsequent contact between Europeans and Tiriyó in the first half of the twentieth century produced ethnographic and linguistic studies of the region and Tiriyó subgroups in particular. After the ‘exploratory phase’ of contact came the ‘missionary phase,’ wherein newly built airstrips facilitated contact between missionaries and the Tiriyó.[4] These missions tried to concentrate the Tiriyó population in larger villages to more easily convert them to Christianity, and over time, other Indigenous groups such as the Akuriyó joined them here.[4] Until 1957, a village could accommodate up to 50 people.[6] The average life span of a village used to be three to six years,[7] and the death of a captain or chief was often a reason for abandonment as well.[8] The newly acquired agricultural techniques allowed for a bigger population. In 1967, the village of Alalapadu passed the 500 mark,[6] and the soils surrounding the village started to become depleted.[9] The town was abandoned, but not completely as some Tiriyó settled in the vicinity of the old village.[10] The same thing happened with Kwamalasamutu,[6] and in 1997 granman Asongo decided,[11] that part of the population should spread out, also as a defence against encroachment by gold miners and tourist lodges.[12]

Government

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Granman of the Tiriyó people in Suriname
since 11 March 2022[14]
ResidenceKwamalasamutu

The Tiriyó have a high degree of independence, because their settlements are difficult to access. However, they are interested in reinforcing relationships with the foreign world.[4] Traditionally there was no clear hierarchy or a granman (paramount chief).

In 1997, Asongo Alalaparu was appointed granman by the Surinamese President, and captains were appointed to manage the village.[11] In 2011, a District Commissioner had been appointed to represent the central government[15] in the Coeroeni resort. As of 2019, the District Commission is Trees Cirino.[16]

The village of Kasuela is located in the disputed Tigri Area which is claimed by both Guyana and Suriname. The village is headed by Captain Kenke Jaimo who is recognized by both governments.[17][18]

The Tiriyó in Brazil live in the Tumucumaque Indigenous Park which has been recognized since 1997.[1] In 2004, Apitikatxi, the association of Tiriyó, Kaxuyana and Txikuyana indigenous peoples was founded to improve rights of indigenous peoples. The organisation is headed by Demetrio Amisipa Tiriyó.[19]

A problem which remains is that there are two systems: a traditional tribal government and a national government which are often not compatible.[20] The Tiriyó in the larger villages are influenced by schooling, modern day facilities, and telecommunications. The traditional culture is disappearing and young people are beginning to move to the city.[21]

Indigenous rights

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A concern is the fundamental rights, because the Tiriyó are spread over three countries, and unlike the Maroons,[22] there are no significant treaties. Mining concessions are often made with the Government without consultation of the native population.[23] Even though the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ruled in 2007 that all indigenous and tribal peoples have the right to manage, distribute, and effectively control their territory,[24] Article 41 of the Constitution of Suriname states: "Natural resources and resources are the property of the nation and should be mobilized for economic, social and cultural development. The nation has the inalienable right to take full ownership of its natural resources in order to apply them for the economic, social and cultural development of Suriname."[25] Also in Brazil, indigenous peoples are often viewed as opponents to economic growth and barriers to development.[26]

Communities

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The southernmost villages of Marithepu, Boca do Marapí and Santo Antonio are not indicated on the map. In the densely populated area around Missão Tiriyó and Kuxaré, the villages are not labeled.
Place Coordinates Inhabitants River Country
Sandlanding 5°9′47″N 57°10′12″W / 5.16306°N 57.17000°W / 5.16306; -57.17000 (Sandlanding) 33[27] Courentyne   Suriname
Wanapan (Arapahtë pata) 4°22′55″N 57°57′28″W / 4.38194°N 57.95778°W / 4.38194; -57.95778 (Wanapan) 25[28] Courentyne   Suriname
Lucie 3°34′48″N 57°41′6″W / 3.58000°N 57.68500°W / 3.58000; -57.68500 (Lucie) 18[27] Lucie   Suriname
Amotopo 3°32′50″N 57°38′35″W / 3.54722°N 57.64306°W / 3.54722; -57.64306 (Amotopo) 27[28] Courentyne   Suriname
Kuruni 3°22′12″N 57°20′40″W / 3.37000°N 57.34444°W / 3.37000; -57.34444 (Kuruni) 88[28] Coeroeni   Suriname
Kwamalasamutu 2°21′23″N 56°47′12″W / 2.35639°N 56.78667°W / 2.35639; -56.78667 (Kwamalasamutu) 1,100[28] Sipaliwini   Suriname
Kamani 2°34′5″N 57°0′30″W / 2.56806°N 57.00833°W / 2.56806; -57.00833 (Kamani) 6[29] Kamani   Suriname
Sipaliwini Savanna 2°1′33″N 56°7′29″W / 2.02583°N 56.12472°W / 2.02583; -56.12472 (Sipaliwini) 160[28] Sipaliwini   Suriname
Alalapadu 2°31′14″N 56°19′41″W / 2.52056°N 56.32806°W / 2.52056; -56.32806 (Alalapadu) 75[28] Alalapadu   Suriname
Pelelu Tepu 3°9′35″N 55°43′7″W / 3.15972°N 55.71861°W / 3.15972; -55.71861 (Pelelu Tepu) 600[28] Tapanahony   Suriname
Palumeu 3°20′43″N 55°26′35″W / 3.34528°N 55.44306°W / 3.34528; -55.44306 (Palumeu) 283[28] Tapanahony   Suriname
Kampu 2°58′33″N 55°23′0″W / 2.97583°N 55.38333°W / 2.97583; -55.38333 (Kampu) 10-20[30] Paloemeu   Suriname
Vier Gebroeders 1°57′45″N 55°55′45″W / 1.96250°N 55.92917°W / 1.96250; -55.92917 (Vier Gebroeders) Vier Gebroederskreek   Suriname
Kasuela 3°16′39″N 57°35′58″W / 3.27750°N 57.59944°W / 3.27750; -57.59944 (Kasuela) 80[31] New River   Guyana
Sakuru 2°4′21″N 56°53′21″W / 2.07250°N 56.88917°W / 2.07250; -56.88917 (Sakuru) Aramatau   Guyana
Cachoeirinha 1°59′45″N 55°10′55″W / 1.99583°N 55.18194°W / 1.99583; -55.18194 (Cachoeirinha) 33[32] Paru d'Este   Brazil
Matawaré 1°57′4″N 55°7′10″W / 1.95111°N 55.11944°W / 1.95111; -55.11944 (Matawaré) 110[32] Paru d'Este   Brazil
Iyaherai 1°42′23″N 54°59′22″W / 1.70639°N 54.98944°W / 1.70639; -54.98944 (Iyaherai) 52[33] Paru d'Este   Brazil
Manau 1°35′11″N 54°55′14″W / 1.58639°N 54.92056°W / 1.58639; -54.92056 (Manau) 16[32] Paru d'Este   Brazil
Orokofö Velha 2°18′3″N 55°56′51″W / 2.30083°N 55.94750°W / 2.30083; -55.94750 (Orokofö Velha) 38[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Orokofö Nova 2°18′19″N 55°56′17″W / 2.30528°N 55.93806°W / 2.30528; -55.93806 (Orokofö Nova) 44[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Paruaka 2°17′32″N 55°51′23″W / 2.29222°N 55.85639°W / 2.29222; -55.85639 (Paruaka) 55[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Taratarafö 2°16′46″N 55°57′13″W / 2.27944°N 55.95361°W / 2.27944; -55.95361 (Taratarafö) 37[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Tuha-entu 2°17′10″N 55°56′33″W / 2.28611°N 55.94250°W / 2.28611; -55.94250 (Tuha-entu) 45[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Oroi-entu 2°15′58″N 55°52′55″W / 2.26611°N 55.88194°W / 2.26611; -55.88194 (Oroi-entu) 55[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Acahé 2°14′42″N 56°0′23″W / 2.24500°N 56.00639°W / 2.24500; -56.00639 (Acahé) Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Notüpö 2°14′56″N 55°57′26″W / 2.24889°N 55.95722°W / 2.24889; -55.95722 (Notüpö) 56[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Betânia 2°14′12″N 55°57′50″W / 2.23667°N 55.96389°W / 2.23667; -55.96389 (Betânia) 202[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Amana 2°13′58″N 55°57′55″W / 2.23278°N 55.96528°W / 2.23278; -55.96528 (Amana) 42[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Kuritaraimö 2°13′49″N 55°57′51″W / 2.23028°N 55.96417°W / 2.23028; -55.96417 (Kuritaraimö) 33[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Missão Tiriyó 2°13′54″N 55°57′39″W / 2.23167°N 55.96083°W / 2.23167; -55.96083 (Missão Tiriyó) 495[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Missão Velha 2°13′17″N 55°57′34″W / 2.22139°N 55.95944°W / 2.22139; -55.95944 (Missão Velha) 97[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Muneny 2°13′15″N 55°54′31″W / 2.22083°N 55.90861°W / 2.22083; -55.90861 (Muneny) 4[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Ponoto 2°12′37″N 55°49′47″W / 2.21028°N 55.82972°W / 2.21028; -55.82972 (Ponoto) 22[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Kumuimi 2°11′43″N 55°57′0″W / 2.19528°N 55.95000°W / 2.19528; -55.95000 (Kumuimi) 6[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Arawatá 2°10′53″N 55°56′36″W / 2.18139°N 55.94333°W / 2.18139; -55.94333 (Arawatá) 24[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Waypa 2°9′16″N 55°55′1″W / 2.15444°N 55.91694°W / 2.15444; -55.91694 (Waypa) 20[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Ömetanömpo 2°8′28″N 55°54′54″W / 2.14111°N 55.91500°W / 2.14111; -55.91500 (Ömetanömpo) 26[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Pedra da Onça 1°26′9″N 55°39′46″W / 1.43583°N 55.66278°W / 1.43583; -55.66278 (Pedra da Onça) 86[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Santo Antonio 0°55′18″N 55°45′33″W / 0.92167°N 55.75917°W / 0.92167; -55.75917 (Santo Antonio) 87[33] Paru de Oeste   Brazil
Aiki 1°48′39″N 56°4′20″W / 1.81083°N 56.07222°W / 1.81083; -56.07222 (Aiki) 5[33] Marapí   Brazil
Castanhal 1°48′1″N 55°57′44″W / 1.80028°N 55.96222°W / 1.80028; -55.96222 (Castanhal) 11[33] Marapí   Brazil
Marihpa 1°44′26″N 56°4′16″W / 1.74056°N 56.07111°W / 1.74056; -56.07111 (Marihpa) 20[33] Marapí   Brazil
Kuxaré 1°42′0″N 56°4′10″W / 1.70000°N 56.06944°W / 1.70000; -56.06944 (Kuxaré) 178[33] Marapí   Brazil
Urunai 1°31′3″N 56°5′4″W / 1.51750°N 56.08444°W / 1.51750; -56.08444 (Urunai) 32[33] Marapí   Brazil
Yawa 1°21′13″N 56°7′52″W / 1.35361°N 56.13111°W / 1.35361; -56.13111 (Yawa) 56[33] Marapí   Brazil
Marithepu 1°5′23″N 56°11′35″W / 1.08972°N 56.19306°W / 1.08972; -56.19306 (Marithepu) 56[33] Marapí   Brazil
Boca do Marapí 0°36′37″N 55°58′34″W / 0.61028°N 55.97611°W / 0.61028; -55.97611 (Boca do Marapí) 31[33] Marapí   Brazil

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Tiriyó". Socio Ambiental.org. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b "GDF impacts Cashew Island through education". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2021. Estimation for Kasuela, however population of Sakuru is unknown
  3. ^ a b Mans 2012, p. 21.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Meira 1999.
  5. ^ a b Benjamins & Snelleman 1916, p. 175.
  6. ^ a b c Mans 2012, p. 143.
  7. ^ Mans 2012, p. 171.
  8. ^ Mans 2012, p. 170.
  9. ^ Wekker, Molendijk & Vernooij 1992, p. 43.
  10. ^ Heemskerk & Delvoye 2007, p. 32.
  11. ^ a b Heemskerk & Delvoye 2007, p. 3.
  12. ^ Mans 2012, p. 129.
  13. ^ "Jimmy Toeroemang (30) nieuwe granman Kwamalasamutu". De Ware Tijd (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Jimmy Toeroemang beëdigd als Groot-Opperhoofd Tareno (Trio) inheemse stam". Dagblad Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Structuur Analyse" (PDF). Planning Office Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  16. ^ "DNA en districten". De Nationale Assemblée (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  17. ^ "GDF impacts Cashew Island through education". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Dorpen en Dorpsbesturen". Vereniging van inheemse dorpshoofden Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Our Partners". Rutu Foundation. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  20. ^ Boven 2006, p. 188.
  21. ^ "Kwamalasamutu". Project Cobra. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  22. ^ "The Ndyuka Treaty Of 1760: A Conversation with Granman Gazon". Cultural Survival.org. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  23. ^ "DORPSPLAN KWAMALASAMUTU 2011 – 2014 page 6" (PDF). Institute for Graduate Studies & Research Anton de Kom University (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  24. ^ "Wanze Eduards and S. Hugo Jabini. Suriname Forests". Goldman Environmental Prize. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  25. ^ "GRONDWET VAN DE REPUBLIEK SURINAME" (PDF). World Intellectual Property Organization (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  26. ^ Zhouri, Andréa (2010-09-01). ""Adverse Forces" in the Brazilian Amazon: Developmentalism Versus Environmentalism and Indigenous Rights". The Journal of Environment & Development. 19 (3): 252–273. doi:10.1177/1070496510378097. ISSN 1070-4965. S2CID 154971383.
  27. ^ a b Heemskerk & Delvoye 2007, p. 22.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h "Dorpen en Dorpsbesturen". Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  29. ^ Carlin & Van Goethem 2009, p. 17.
  30. ^ Gajapersad, Krisna (2013). "A Survey of the Large Ground Dwelling Mammals of the Upper-Palumeu River Region". A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Upper Palumeu River Watershed (Grensgebergte and Kasikasima) of Southeastern Suriname. doi:10.1896/054.067.0120. ISBN 9781934151570. Retrieved 15 June 2020. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  31. ^ "GDF impacts Cashew Island through education". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  32. ^ a b c Iori van Velthem Linke (2018). "Gestão territorial e ambiental nas terras indígenas do Rio Paru de Leste: um desafio coletivo no norte da Amazônia brasileira". University of Brasília (in Portuguese). p. 71. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Caracterização do DSEI Amapá e Norte do Pará, conforme Edital de Chamada Pública n. 2/2017 (item 3.1)" (PDF). portalarquivos.saude.gov.br. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2018.

References

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1°50′00″N 54°00′00″W / 1.8333°N 54.0000°W / 1.8333; -54.0000