Languages of Honduras - Amerindian

Amerindian

The 7% of the Amerindian population in Honduras include groups which were not integrated fully into colonial Honduras. Most of this group live in impoverished rural tribes and, with the exception of the Lenca, keep their language.

The Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras and the government of Honduras count seven different indigenous groups:

  • the Ch'orti' (25,000 hab.), a Mayan group living in the northwest on the border with Guatemala;
  • the Garifuna (98,000 hab.) speaking an Arawakan language. They live along the entire Caribbean coastline of Honduras, and in the Bay Islands;
  • the Pech or Paya Indians (2,500) living in a small area in the Olancho department;
  • the Tolupan (also called Jicaque, "Xicaque", or Tol), living in the Department of Yoro and in the reserve of the MontaƱa de la Flor and parts of the department of Yoro;
  • the Lenca(100,000 hab.) Indians living in the Valle and Choluteca departments;
  • the Miskito (40,000 hab.)Indians living on the northeast coast along the border with Nicaragua, many of whom are mixed-race and descend from the Miskito-Sambu.

In addition, there are the Sumo or Tawahka (1,000)

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