OCR Text |
Show 88 of living which exists generally throughout the Indo-Iberian countries of America. Velasco Nunez, Manuel D., "Indigenas del Peru," America Indigena, XIX, No. 3 (July, 1959), pp. 209-218. English summary: This is the fifth article prepared to form part of the "General Guide to the Indian Population of America," which this Institute is preparing in collaboration with distinguished Indianists. The author of this study, the Secretary General of the Peruvian Indian Institute, gives us here a general view of the Indian population of Peru. The figures given concerning the Peruvian Indian population are principally those derived from the 1940 census together with some statistical calculations obtained through the Peruvian Department of Statistics for 1954. According to the 1940 census, the Indian population of Peru constitutes 45.867. of the total population. This Indian population is found distributed in three well differentiated zones of Peru: coast, mountain and jungle. From the cultural point of view, great differences exist since the highland region is inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Quechuas and Aymaras, while in the jungle region live groups of low cultural levels. In this as well as in other studies concerning Indian population already published, an analysis is made of the governmental attitude in relation to the Indian population, including also the various institutions which work in benefit of the Indians of Peru. A brief Indianist bibliography allows for securing additional information if desired. Editorial, "Grupos Indigenas en Vias de Extinction," America Indigena, XIX, No. 4 (October, 1959), pp. 243-244. It is not strange that many Indian groups of America, as well as the languages they spoke, disappeared during the Conquest and Colonial times, considering the difficult conditions tinder which they were forced to live by their foreign conquerors, as well as the lamentable health conditions which prevailed. In past centuries hundreds of languages and native dialects were spoken on the Continent, many of which no longer exist. This is due to the fact that not only were they substituted for by Spanish Portuguese and English, but also that many of the Indian groups which spoke them have died out. This was explicable then, but not now when the abuses of colonialism have disappeared. Nevertheless, quite a few native groups are rapidly dying out, as for example, the Lacandons and Seris of Mexico. In view of this situation, the Inter-American Indian Institute has insisted and will always insist that the governments and peoples of |