World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Venezuela : Yekuana
| Publisher | Minority Rights Group International |
| Publication Date | 2008 |
| Cite as | Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Venezuela : Yekuana, 2008, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/49749c7f38.html [accessed 30 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Profile
Venezuelan Yekuanas live in the states of Amazonas and Bolivar bordering Brazil and are known around the world for their elaborate basket weaving.
Historical context
The Yekuana remained relatively isolated until the 1960s when the Venezuelan government launched a development plan for the southern part of the country. In this plan, the government promoted the migration of non-indigenous people to that region. This resulted in a fragmentation of the Yekuana political structure, which was further aggravated by the activities of non-Yekuana religious institutions. In the 1990s, the Yekuana protested proposed hydroelectric projects which would change the course of their rivers and by bauxite mining.
Current issues
The Yekuana continue to have limited access to education and health services. They also face the threat of encroachment by legal and illegal miners.
