Guayupe

The Guayupe were an indigenous people inhabiting the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains in present-day Colombia. They primarily lived in the Meta River basin and the surrounding areas. Their territory was located in what is now the departments of Meta, Casanare, and Vichada.

The Guayupe were known for their complex social organization, agricultural practices, and skilled craftsmanship. They cultivated crops such as maize, yuca, and plantains. They also practiced hunting and fishing. Evidence suggests they had a hierarchical social structure with chiefs or leaders.

The Guayupe, along with other indigenous groups in the region, faced significant challenges during the Spanish colonial period. They resisted Spanish incursions but were eventually subdued. Disease, warfare, and forced labor decimated their population.

Today, the Guayupe people are considered extinct as a distinct cultural group. Their language is no longer spoken, and their traditional way of life has disappeared. However, descendants of the Guayupe may still reside in the region, assimilated into the broader Colombian population. Archeological evidence and historical accounts remain as testaments to their existence and cultural heritage.