Chimane

/tʃɪˈmɑ.neɪ/ noun

Definition

An indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest in Bolivia, known for their traditional hunting and gathering lifestyle.

Etymology

The word comes from the Chimane people's own ethnonym, with uncertain origins but possibly related to pre-Columbian languages of the Amazon basin. The term has been used since European contact in the 16th century.

Kelly Says

The Chimane people have one of the world's most comprehensive traditional knowledge of rainforest medicine—scientists now study their plant use to discover new drugs! They maintain one of the lowest obesity and disease rates globally despite having no modern medicine.

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