Hiwi

Hiwi is the name by which the indigenous people also known as Guahibo are identified. They inhabit the eastern parts of Colombia and western parts of Venezuela, along and around the Orinoco River basin. The Hiwi are one of several groups in the region that speak a Guahiboan language, and they are recognized as an indigenous people by the governments of both countries. The term Hiwi is used by some communities and in various sources; Guahibo is another common designation.

Language and communication

The Hiwi language, often called Guahibo, belongs to the Guahiban branch of the Arawakan language family. It comprises several dialects and is commonly transmitted within communities, though many Hiwi also speak Spanish. Language vitality varies by community, with some efforts directed toward bilingual education and intergenerational transmission, while others face pressures from dominant languages.

Culture, social life, and economy

Traditionally, Hiwi livelihoods include a mix of hunting, fishing, gathering, and small-scale agriculture such as manioc cultivation, supplemented by riverine resources. Social organization centers on extended families and village communities, with cultural practices tied to the landscape, rivers, and seasonal cycles. Spiritual life commonly features traditional ceremonies and community leaders, such as shamans, who guide rituals and healing. Artforms include basketry, weaving, and canoe-building, while housing often reflects regional riverine materials.

History and current issues

Contact with colonial authorities began in the 16th century, followed by state formation, land pressures, and development projects. Today, Hiwi communities pursue recognition of land rights, protection of cultural heritage, and access to health, education, and governance programs under Colombian and Venezuelan law, as well as international Indigenous rights frameworks.

Other uses

The term Hiwi can also refer to a German academic term, an abbreviation for Hilfswissenschaftler (student or research assistant) at universities, which is unrelated to the Indigenous group.