Pumé people

The Pumé people (or Yaruro) are a indigenous people who live in the Llanos area of Venezuela, west of the Orinoco River. They belong to the Circum-Caribbean region and have a rich cultural history.

The Pumé people are divided into two groups. The River Pumé live along the major rivers connected to the Orinoco River. The Savanna Pumé are more nomadic and live on the open plains of the Llanos. Both groups have their own ways of life and traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Name

The name "Yaruro" was used by early Spanish explorers to describe the Pumé people. This name comes from a Pumé word meaning "to give," but it was used in a way that suggested they were always asking for things. Today, the Pumé prefer to call themselves "Pumé," which means "real human." This is the name most often used by scientists and some parts of the Venezuelan government. Other old names for the Pumé include Llaruro, Yaruru, and Yuapín people.

Culture

Language

The Pumé language is special because it does not share roots with most other languages. It is spoken by many Pumé people today, especially those who live away from rivers. Some Pumé people can also speak Spanish, especially the men. Parts of the Bible have been translated into the Pumé language.

Housing

The Savanna Pumé move their homes between dry and wet seasons. In the dry season, they use simple structures made from brush. In the wet season, they build stronger homes with palm leaves for roofs. They also set up smaller camps for fishing or collecting materials. River Pumé used to move around more but now mostly stay in one place, mixing traditional and modern building styles.

Subsistence

The Savanna Pumé hunt and gather food, with different foods in dry and wet seasons. In the wet season, they hunt small animals and collect wild plants. In the dry season, they fish, hunt birds, and collect fruits. River Pumé grow crops, fish, hunt, and sometimes work for nearby families. They also raise small animals like chickens and pigs.

Material culture

Savanna Pumé make most of their tools and items, trading for things like cooking pots and knives with River Pumé. They build homes using wood and palm leaves. Palm fibers are used to make ropes, baskets, and other useful items. Women carry baskets made from palm leaves, and both men and women use tools like digging sticks and bows for finding food.

Kinship and personal names

Traditionally, the Pumé did not use names but referred to each other using family terms. Today, they have Christian names for dealing with nearby families or government matters, but they still use family terms among themselves. Spanish names may change as children grow up.

Marriage

Most Pumé girls marry by age 15, and boys also marry young. Marriage happens when a couple starts living together, and parents may have some say in choosing partners. A few men have more than one wife, usually sisters. Infidelity is rare and can lead to divorce.

Religion and medicine

The Pumé hold long night dances called tohé for both religious and social reasons. These dances include singing, dancing around a central pole, and sometimes healing or spiritual experiences. Dances are important for bringing the community together. The Pumé also use plant-based medicines for healing and know about western medicines, wishing for more access to them.

See also Puana, a goddess in Yaruro mythology.

Outside pressures

The Pumé people have met Europeans since the 1600s. The River Pumé, who live near big rivers, have had more contact than others. This contact brought big changes, especially close to towns. But faraway Savanna Pumé have stayed more like before.

In the 1900s, more people moved into the land where Pumé live. New jobs let them trade for things, but also brought new problems like alcohol and fights with some local people. Some Pumé villages stopped important dances because of these problems. Most Pumé still want to keep their land, traditions, and language safe while also getting help like doctors and tools.