The Cavineño Indigenous People is located in the Beni department in the José Ballivián province where the municipalities of Reyes and Santa Rosa are located. It has a titled area of ​​471,862.3227 hectares. The INE 2012 census registered 2,005 Cavineños inhabitants (1,118 men and 887 women)
Characteristics of territorial occupation
In the 18th century, the Cavina population was concentrated by the Franciscans in the Jesús de Cavinas Mission, in various places on the Beni River, finally transferred to the banks of the Sahuasepere stream, considered safer. The Cavineños were characterized by their constant mobility to take advantage of resources and by their strategies to avoid confrontations with other more bellicose peoples; hence, during their stay in the Mission, they were fatal victims of the Esse Ejjas and Chácobo, opting for constant abandonment of the religious to go into the bush.
From being itinerant horticulturists, guides and rowers, they went to be ranchers, farmers, rubber tappers and chestnut trees, in a sedentary process that is expressed in the 18 communities grouped into six areas; Eight settlements grouped in three areas on the Beni River and ten communities gathered in three areas on the Biata River.
Organization of community work. The activity that requires collaborative work throughout the year is agriculture, while hunting and fishing are carried out individually or in groups. Harvesting Brazil nuts within the territory has become of great economic importance, a task for which families from all communities organize, moving to the bush throughout the harvest season for approximately four months.
Other activities. In the elaboration of crafts they use wood to make farm implements, household utensils, canoes and furniture. They also use vegetable fibers from motacú, mallow, chonta parrot and vines in the production of mats, brooms and winders, an activity that is shared by men and women, products that are eventually marketed.
Source: Interactive Virtual Atlas of Indigenous and Native Territories in Bolivia
Vice Ministry of Lands - MDRyT Geo. Ing. - UMSA
