About the Tenharim

The Tenharim call themselves the Kagwahiva. There are six groups of Kagwahiva in the states of Amazonas and Rondônia: the Tenharim, the Parintintín, the Uru-eu-wau-wau; the Amundava; the Karipuna de Rondônia; and the Juma. Geographically and linguistically the Tenharim and Parintintín are close. Similarly, the Uru-eu-wau-wau and Amundava. There appears to be much similarity between the languages.

The population at this time (of about 415) is approximately four times what it was when in 1975. They are living at two major locations in the state of Amazonas in the rain forest: one along the Trans-Amazon Highway and one at Igarape Preto. There are 381 Tenharim living along the Trans-Amazon Highway, the majority of which live where the highway crosses the Marmelos River. Smaller groups live at various places east and west of the Marmelos River. The one village at Igarape Preto consists of 34 persons. It is in the savanna south and  east of the Marmelos River location.