With a population estimated at about 450, the Epera are one of several under-represented Indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest.
Historically, the Epera lived on either side of the Colombia-Ecuador border. However, due to the constant violence in southern Colombia–a country where 32 indigenous peoples are now at risk of extinction–most Epera now live on a recently-secured 340-hectare plot of land, along the Cayapas River in Ecuador.
Other names for the Epera include: Siapede, Wamuna, Emberá-Saija, Epéna, Saija, Epená Saija, Epéna Pedée, Southern Embera, Southern Empera and Cholo