Definition
The Barí people are an Indigenous ethnic group inhabiting the mountainous region of the Sierra Nevada de Perijá, which straddles the border between north‑western Colombia and north‑eastern Venezuela.
Overview
The Barí population is estimated to number between 8,000 and 12,000 individuals, with the majority residing in Colombia’s Cesar and La Guajira departments and a smaller community in Venezuela’s Zulia state. Their traditional territory consists of highland forests, páramo ecosystems, and river valleys, where they maintain a subsistence economy based on shifting agriculture, hunting, fishing, and the gathering of forest products.
The Barí have historically been referred to as “Motilón,” a Spanish term meaning “shaven‑head,” which was applied by early colonial observers to describe their practice of wearing their hair cut short. The preferred autonym is “Barí,” which translates as “the people” in their own language.
Etymology/Origin
- Barí: autonym meaning “people” in the Barí language.
- Motilón: a Spanish exonym derived from “motil,” meaning “bald” or “shaven,” historically used by outsiders.
Characteristics
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Language: The Barí speak the Barí language (also called Motilón Barí), which is classified by most linguistic scholars as a member of the Arawakan language family; however, some researchers note distinctive features that have led to proposals of a separate sub‑branch or language isolate. The language is traditionally oral, though orthographies have been developed for educational purposes.
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Social organization: Barí society is organized around extended family units that occupy communal houses (known as maloka). Leadership is exercised by a council of elders, and decision‑making often involves consensus. Patrilineal descent is customary, though women hold significant roles in agricultural production and ritual activities.
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Economy: Subsistence activities include the cultivation of maize, beans, cassava, and plantains on cleared fields using slash‑and‑burn techniques. Hunting targets deer, peccary, and small mammals, while fishing is practiced in streams and rivers. The Barí also collect forest products such as palm hearts, medicinal plants, and resin.
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Religion and cosmology: The Barí maintain an animist belief system that attributes spiritual significance to natural elements, ancestors, and animal spirits. Shamans (muká or ma´a) mediate between the human and spirit worlds, performing rituals for healing, hunting success, and community protection. Ceremonial music, dance, and body painting are integral to religious observances.
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Contact and contemporary issues: Since the mid‑20th century, the Barí have experienced increased contact with national governments, missionary groups, and extractive industries (particularly oil and mining). These interactions have led to challenges such as land dispossession, environmental degradation, and cultural assimilation pressures. The Barí have organized political representation through Indigenous councils and have sought legal recognition of their ancestral territories under Colombian and Venezuelan law.
Related Topics
- Indigenous peoples of Colombia
- Sierra Nevada de Perijá
- Arawakan languages
- Amazonian and Andean Indigenous cultures
- Indigenous land rights in South America
- Cultural impacts of oil extraction in the Orinoco basin