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Yanomamö

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Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology

Alternative Names

Yanomami, Waika, Waica, Guaica, Shori, Yanoama, Yanomama, Shiriana, Xiriana, Shidishana, and Guajaribo. The names Sanema, Sanumá, and Sanima are auto denominations of Yanomamö people to the north and east of the main tribal distribution. They are culturally and genetically very closely related to the larger Yanomamö groups and their dialect is partially intelligible.

The name Yanomamö means person, individual, or human. Alternative names such as Shamatari or Waica (Waika) are relative terms used by some Yanomamö to refer to other Yanomamö living to the south or north, respectively.

Location and Linguistic Affiliation

The Yanomamö are located in the extreme southeastern corner of the Venezuelan state of Amazonas and in the northern portions of the Brazilian states of Roraima and Amazonas. In Venezuela, the northern extension of the Yanomamö is delimited to the north by headwaters of Erebato and Caura rivers, east along the Parima Mountains, and west along the Padamo...

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Authors
  1. Jennifer Kuzara
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  2. Raymond Hames
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Human Relations Area Files, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Carol R. Ember  & Melvin Ember  & 

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Kuzara, J., Hames, R. (2004). Yanomamö. In: Ember, C.R., Ember, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29905-X_104

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29905-X_104

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-47754-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-29905-1

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