Apiacás

Apiacás are an indigenous people of Brazil. They traditionally inhabited the area along the Juruena River and its tributaries, in the states of Mato Grosso and Amazonas. Their language, also called Apiacá, belongs to the Tupi-Guarani language family.

Historically, the Apiacás were known for their fierce resistance to outsiders, including early European explorers and rubber tappers. They suffered significant population decline due to disease, conflict, and displacement during the rubber boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, the Apiacás population is relatively small. They live primarily in indigenous territories officially recognized by the Brazilian government. Their traditional culture and language are under pressure, and efforts are being made to preserve their heritage. The Apiacás economy is based on subsistence farming, fishing, hunting, and gathering, along with some limited engagement in the market economy.