Arendavas

Arendavas refers to an indigenous community traditionally living along the riverine and forested regions of the eastern plains. The term also designates their language, Arendavan, which is widely spoken by elders and in rural communities. The ethnonym may derive from historical words meaning "water people," though etymology remains uncertain.

Geographically, the Arendavas occupy river valleys and adjacent woodlands spanning several provinces. They number approximately 120,000 people, with sizeable urban and diaspora communities. Arendavan is the community's primary language, with two main dialects, North Arendavan and South Arendavan. Bilingual education in Arendavan and the state language has expanded in recent decades.

Historically, Arendavas are recorded in early trade networks and oral histories dating back a millennium. They established agrarian villages, developed distinctive weaving and canoe-building traditions, and engaged in trade with neighboring groups. The colonial era brought missionaries and administrators, impacting social structures and land tenure. In the late 20th century, recognition of minority rights improved access to education and media.

Socially, Arendava society is organized around kinship clans and local councils. Gender roles are diverse; artisans, fishermen, and farmers play central roles. Cultural life centers on seasonal festivals, music featuring call-and-response singing, and weaving patterns used for garments, baskets, and ceremonial cloths. Traditional dances accompany harvests and rites of passage.

Economic life combines subsistence farming with cash crops, sustainable forestry, and fishing. Handicrafts such as weaving and carving provide income and cultural preservation. Land rights and environmental stewardship are central to contemporary politics, with rights to traditional territories recognized in regional laws and ongoing negotiations with national authorities.