Introduction / History

The Salibas live in Colombia and Venezuela. They lived along the Oronoco River until the late 1600s. Throughout their history, the Salibas suffered from epidemics and raids by the Carib tribe. They also traded with the Caribs and their homeland came under the influence of Jesuit missionaries. In the late 1700s, they left the Jesuit mission and migrated to the upper Meta region.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Salibas get their food sources from fishing, hunting and agriculture. Their staple crop is cassava, which they turn into a kind of bread. They also grow yams, sweet potatoes, fruit trees, sugar cane, corn and beans. Some crops are for rituals and for sale. Most keep chickens and livestock for a reliable source of meat. They also make and sell baskets and wood carvings to merchants and tourists. Their homeland is a grassy savannah.

The Salibas have trial marriages where the couple lives with the wife s family. The marriage is dissolved if she cannot bear a child.

The Salibas love music. Their traditional music involved a type of trumpet, but because of the Spanish influence they also play stringed instruments like violins and guitars.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Shamans were their traditional religious experts. Shamans gained power through fasting and using hallucinogenic drugs. According to their cosmology the sun, moon and the stars were supernatural beings.

The Salibas are known to be loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. Today they are about half Roman Catholic with an Evangelical minority.

What Are Their Needs?

The Salibas need to put Jesus Christ first in their lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in local Catholic churches, moving people to focus their spirituality on Jesus Christ, and none other.
Pray that soon Saliba elders and family leaders will hear and receive the gospel message.
Pray for the Lord to bless Saliba families in such a way they will know he is the only one worthy of their praise and worship.
Pray for Saliba disciples to make more disciples.

Scripture Prayers for the Saliba in Venezuela.

References

https://www.lddjournal.org/article/id/1234/
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_s%C3%A1liba