Wayana in French Guiana


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Wayana are closely related to the Aparai and other Amazonian tribes. Though they have their own language, it’s common for tribes in this part of the world to merge.
The Wayana didn’t have contact with Europeans until 1769. They soon had diseases that reduced their population to 500. Eventually they developed immunities and their population rose again. Starting in 1962 American missionaries encouraged the Wayana people to live in larger villages where they would have access to education, medical care and church fellowship.
There are Wayana who live in French Guiana and Suriname. A small number live in Brazil.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The late 1980s brought about eco-tourism and also illegal logging and mining in the Wayana homeland. Mining efforts also brought prostitution, bars and gambling to the Wayana people.
There is a minimal amount of organization in Wayana society. They sometimes have a community house called a tukusipan. Villages are sometimes comprised of one extended family, and they are tied to others by trade, kinship times, marriages and shared rituals. Though they are no longer nomadic, the Wayana sometimes abandon their villages when a leader dies. Wayana leaders are usually their shamans who navigate their contact with the spirit world. Shamans act as healers and advise hunters and fishermen.
Their leadership style is becoming more formal as they must interface with government officials.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Many Wayana people blend their traditional shamanism with Roman Catholicism. They also have an Evangelical influence and their own New Testament.


What Are Their Needs?

The Wayana people need to be empowered to protect their interests against those who encroach on their land.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to guide and protect the Wayana people in the 21st century.
Pray for Wayana Christ followers to disciple others to disciple many others.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Wayana people in such a way they will understand that he is lord of all.
Pray for the Wayana to heed the teachings of the Bible and teach it to their children.


Scripture Prayers for the Wayana in French Guiana.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayana
https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Wayana


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Wayana
People Name in Country Wayana
Alternate Names Alukuyana; Guayana; Oayana; Orkokoyana; Oyana; Roucouyen; Uaiana; Upuriu; Upurui; Waiana
Population this Country 1,100
Population all Countries 2,100
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 15898
ROP3 Code 110731
Country French Guiana
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni district: southwestern border area, along upper Maroni river.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country French Guiana
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni district: southwestern border area, along upper Maroni river..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.70 %)
20.00 %
Ethnic Religions
80.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Wayana (1,100 speakers)
Language Code way   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Wayana (1,100 speakers)
Language Code way   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Wayana
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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