The Panare people are a native ethnic group of Venezuela, found mostly in Bolívar State and parts of Amazonas State. Their population is relatively small—only a few thousand people. The name “Panare” likely means “friend” or “ally” and comes from neighboring Indigenous languages, while “E'ñepá” simply means “people.”
They speak the Panare language (E’ñapa Woromaipu), a Cariban language and many today are bilingual, also speaking Castilian Spanish due to increased contact with wider Venezuelan society.
Traditionally, they live in small, scattered communities in forests and savannahs. Their way of life includes hunting, fishing, and farming. They build thatched houses. They have maintained much of their traditional culture, even though modern influences have increased in recent decades maintaining a strong community cooperation and shared living.
Traditionally, they followed animistic and nature-based spiritual beliefs and many combine these traditions with Christianity.
