karib

Karib (also Carib) refers to an indigenous ethnolinguistic group of the Caribbean and northern South America, and to the Cariban language family. The term is used in English and in some other languages; in the Caribbean the people often identify themselves as Kalinago (in Dominica) or by other community names.

Historically, Carib-speaking groups inhabited the Lesser Antilles and coastal areas of northern South America. They interacted with Arawak-speaking groups and with European colonizers starting in the late 15th century. European accounts often framed them as raiders, a portrayal now reconsidered by historians who highlight diverse economies, kinship structures, and cultural practices.

Language: The Cariban language family includes numerous languages spoken in northern South America and the Caribbean. Carib itself is one member; many languages are endangered due to colonial and national pressures, with remaining speakers in communities across Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and parts of Brazil.

Modern usage: The term Carib can be seen as historical or colonial. Some communities, especially in Dominica, prefer Kalinago as a self-designation. The name Karib appears in place names and in the academic literature to refer to the broader language family and cultural heritage of Caribbean Indigenous peoples.