Wayuu, Guajiro in Venezuela

People Name:	Wayuu, Guajiro
Country:	Venezuela
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	370,000
World Population:	759,000
Primary Language:	Wayuu
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	30.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.50 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc:	Latin-Caribbean Americans
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Wayuu are a clan of the greater Guajiro people who straddle Colombia and Venezuela.

What Are Their Lives Like?

When they become teenagers, girls are separated from boys and prepared for marriage by her aunt. She teaches the girl weaving skills and gives her plenty of a special tea that is intended to purge the girl of childish attitudes. After a couple of months, the girl is given a new name and there is the Chichimaya, a coming out party that starts with a fertility dance. The dancing becomes more playful at dusk when the boys dance backwards in a circle. They wave their hats daring the girls to catch them. Girls try to catch them and trip the boys by stepping on their feet.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like other Guajiro people, the Wayuu combine Roman Catholicism with their traditional beliefs. They have a rain goddess. Yet they celebrate various Catholic holidays and baptize their babies. They are much more Christianized in Colombia than they are in Venezuela.

What Are Their Needs?

The Wayuu people need hospitals and schools to take care of their needs.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Wayuu and other Guajiro clans to have all their physical and spiritual needs met.

Pray for Wayuu disciples to make more disciples.

Pray for a Jesus-focused revival to come to all Catholic communities in Colombia and Venezuela.