Area: Northwestern Mato Grosso, scattered along the Porto Velho-Cuiabá highway for
about 300 km. 10 villages, Brazil (Map)
Alternative Names: Southern Nambikuára, Nambikuára do Sul, Nambikwára, Nambiquara,
Anunsu, Nhambiquara Halotesu, Kithaulu, Wakalitesu, Sawentesu Negarotê, Mamaindê,
Latundê, Sabanê, Manduka, Tawandê Hahaintesu, Alantesu, Waikisu, Alaketesu,
Wasusu, Sararé
First Contact: Turn of the 17th Century
Population: 1145 (2001)
Language Root: Alofilo
Language Classification: Nambikuára, Southern Nambikuára, Nambikuára
Economy: Art and Rubber
Today: Dependent on Missionary Organizations and Government Agencies.
The Nambiquara tribe, also spelled Nambikwara, reside in the southwestern part of the Brazilian
Amazon. The word "Nambi" means mouth. "Kwara" is a small
palm reed dart that is worn in a hole in the lower lip. The Nambiquara are
especially noted for their unique nasal flute, played under the nostril using
natural respiration. Other names for this tribe have been Tanamare, Cabixi, and
Waikoakore - "those that sleep on the floor" due to the lack of a
hammock in their material culture.
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| This beautiful necklace is made of hand carved bead from
the shell of a land turtle. Photo property of Hands Around the World. |
Additional Information
Nambiquara Tribe -
SIL International
Ethnologue:
Language Family Index
Socioambiental
Nambiquara
vocabulary, 2
