Wiwa

Introduction

The Wiwa (also known as Arsarios or Malayo) live in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta in northern Colombia. They are one of four indigenous peoples in the mountainous region, who refer to themselves as the Elder Brothers (Oldest Brothers) to all other People on Earth.

According to Colombia Ministry of Culture , the Wiwa have a population of 13,627 persons. Of these, 12,803 people reside in rural areas and 824 in urban areas. Roughy 79% of the population is under 30 years; while just 2% are over 60.

The Wiwa along with the Kogi, Arhuaco and Kankuamo–direct descendants of the Tayrona–are also one of the few indigenous peoples in the western hemisphere to have almost no historical contact with outsiders due to their adopted survival strategy of isolation from the ‘civilized’ world.

Today, however, they are, like other Indigenous Peoples in Colombia, caught in the ongoing conflict between Colombia and Illegal armed groups like FARC and ELN.

 
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