Waikeri

The Guaiqueríes are an indigenous ethnic group of Venezuela not scientifically classified which, according to many specialists and research, is of Venezuelan Warao origin. {{Cr|They are one of the oldest indigenous societies in that country. Its greatest concentration is located in the current state of Nueva Esparta.

Alexander von Humboldt writes in his Travels to the equinoctial regions: "The Guaiqueríes themselves say that their language and that of the Waraos are related." Others consider them Arawaks, while other Caribs of the Cumanagotos group. According to these scholars, these human groups primarily extended from the Orinoco basin of Delta Amacuro to the northwest of what is now Venezuela.

At the arrival of the first European explorers, the Guaiquerí demonym in its greatest concentration was located on the islands of Paraguachoa (today Margarita), Cua Hua (today Cubagua) and Cochen (today Coche), which make up the state of Nueva Esparta, as well as in the north of the state of Sucre, in what is known as the Araya peninsula.

History

The Guaiquerí aborigines were the first settlers to settle on the current Margarita Island, which was originally called by them as Paraguachoa, who have wanted to translate it, without any linguistic basis (Manzano and Manzano; 1950), as " abundance of fish", but according to researchers, it is more likely that, as reflected by the Cumanagota roots (Umbrella: Sea; Choa: People), it meant "People of the Sea" (Montenegro, 1983), being able to place as an innocent defender the Friar Francisco de Villacorta, who in 1536 founded in what today covers the locations of the Valle del Espíritu Santo and Porlamar, the "Pueblo de la Mar", by royal commission of the King of Spain.

Features

As described by observers during the conquest, the appearance of these aborigines was very different from that of the majority of the Carib tribes that were distributed in northern Venezuela and the surrounding islands. Their height was above average, and it was described that they could reach one meter and eighty centimeters. His complexion was tanned, with strong features and prominent cheekbones. In addition, marked muscular strength was characteristic of them. And very probably one of the characteristics that could have earned them the good will of the Spanish, with respect to other tribes, was their hospitality and pacificity, a trait that does not deprive them of having been a people of excellent warriors, who They were characterized by their courage. In view of this attitude, they were considered by the kings of Spain as free vassals, which legally prevented them from being enslaved. They were never subjected to the encomienda regime, nor were they required to pay taxes. They were always given respectful consideration, as can be seen from the following testimony: “These Indians were so good-natured that they gave no occasion for war. nor was there any punishment, they have had no equal in treatment, honor and freedoms every day....they have done incredible feats and as Indians of such good value they are free from all tribute and servitude by royal concession, honoring them King in his royal certificates, where he calls them “my Guaiquerí gentlemen”, honor deserved for their courage and fidelity, great, constant and firm...”.

Economy

The Guaiqueríes were excellent fishermen, basing their economy and survival (as Margariteños still do today) primarily on this activity; They also practiced agriculture (most likely with plant products brought from the mainland) taking advantage of the fertility of the valleys, such as Arichuna (San Juan Bautista), Arimacoa (Tacarigua), Charaima (The Valley of the Holy Spirit), as well as from areas such as La Sabana de Paraguachí, La Mira, among other locations, to grow their crops. They were skilled sailors, in their seafaring, they reached all the coasts of Eastern and Central Venezuela in their canoes, as well as the Orinoco River, carrying out barter operations with other Venezuelan tribes. Its government was governed by Caciques such as Charaima (its main exponent), and also by Cacicas such as 'Isabel', mother of one of the first mestizos in America, Captain Poblador Francisco Fajardo, the true first founder of what today it is the city of Caracas.

News

In 1881, the historian Andrés Level commented "Currently, there is no specimen left in Margarita of this warlike and industrious race that constituted an important part of the Venezuelan indigenous nation. Today, the Guaiquerí race It is found in a common mixture with the Spanish and the black, in many Margariteños. However, there are Guaiquerí aboriginal groups in Margarita land, although very reduced in number and perhaps with some genetic penetration of miscegenation, such as the Francisco Fajardo Indigenous Community, located in the town of Palguarime, Cruz Grande and El Poblado del Santiago Mariño autonomous municipality of the Nueva Esparta state.