Potiguara
Antonio Pessoa Gomes, the "Caboquinho", chief of Potiguara Indians. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 16,095 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Brazil | |
| Languages | |
| Portuguese, Potiguara |
The Potiguara (also Potyguara or Pitiguara) are an indigenous people of Brazil. The Potiguara people live in Paraíba, in the municipalities of Marcação, Baía da Traição and Rio Tinto. Their population numbers sixteen thousand individuals, who occupy 26 villages in 3 reservations (Terras Indígenas): Potiguara, Jacaré de São Domingos e Potiguara de Monte-Mor. Their name, Potiguara, means "shrimp-eaters", from poty, "shrimp", and uara, "eater", according to Brazilian writer José de Alencar.