Yuqui facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 220 (2003) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Bolivia |
|
| Languages | |
| Yuqui language, Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Sirionó people |
The Yuqui are an indigenous group living in Bolivia. They mostly live in the eastern parts of Bolivia. You can find them in the Santa Cruz and Cochabamba Department areas.
What's in a Name?
The name "Yuqui" has been used by Spanish-speaking people for a long time. It might come from the word "Yaqui," which means "younger relative." But the Yuqui people call themselves "Mbia." This word comes from the Tupi-Guaraní language and means "the people." You might also hear them called Bia, Yuki, Yukí, or Yuquí.
Their Language
The Yuqui language is part of the Tupí-Guaraní language family. It is a Guarayú language and is written using the Latin script. Parts of the Bible were translated into Yuqui in the year 2000.
A Look at Their History
The Yuqui people first met Spanish explorers in 1548. Experts who study languages think the Yuqui people might have separated from the Sirionó people in the 1600s. According to their own stories, the Yuqui faced diseases and conflicts with other groups in Bolivia. In the 1950s, the Bolivian government also had disagreements with the Yuqui people.
For a while, outsiders thought the Yuqui were part of the Siriono people. However, after more contact in the 1960s, a person who spoke the Sirionó language tried to talk to the Yuqui. They soon realized the Yuqui were a completely different group. In 1953, there were only 43 Yuqui people. By 1990, their population had grown to 130.
How They Live
Traditionally, the Yuqui people were nomads. This means they moved around a lot. They would fish, hunt, and gather food instead of growing crops. Today, they still hunt and fish. But they also farm, sell crafts, and work for money.
See Also
In Spanish: Yuquis para niños
- Yuki-Ichilo River Native Community Lands
