Chimane

ETHNONYMS: Achumano, Chamano, Chimanis, Chimanisa, Chimnisin, Chumano, Nawazi-Moñtji, Ramano

Identification. The majority of Chimane live around the Río Maniqui from its headwaters to where it reaches the savannas of the Río Beni, as well as the headwaters of the Yacuma, Chaparina, Cheverene, Dumi, Carepo, Apere, Matos, Sécure, and Beni rivers, located between 14.5° and 15.5° S and 66.5° and 67.5° W, east of the department of La Paz and west of the department of Beni in Bolivia. This area is known as Montaña or Ceja de Selva (eastern Andean slope). The members of this group call themselves "Chimane"; the origin and meaning of the name are unknown.

Linguistic Affiliation. Together with the Mosetene, their neighbors, the Chimane form a separate linguistic stock. Attempts at reclassifying them as "Macropano" are still problematic.

Demography. Confirmed population figures prior to the twentieth century are lacking. The modern Chimane number between 2,000 and 2,500.

JUERGEN RIESTER (Translated by Ruth Gubler)