Rama people

Rama

Rama Cay, 2010
Total population
approximately 2000
Regions with significant populations
Nicaragua
Languages
Rama, Spanish, Rama Cay Creole
Religion
predominantly Moravian
Related ethnic groups
Miskito (culturally), Kuna (linguistically)

The Rama are an indigenous people living on the eastern coast of Nicaragua. Since the start of European colonization, the Rama population has declined as a result of disease, conflict, and loss of territory. In recent years, however, the Rama population has increased to around 2,000 individuals. A majority of the population lives on the island of Rama Cay, which is located in the Bluefields Lagoon. Additional small Rama communities are dispersed on the mainland from Bluefields to Greytown.^[1] The Rama are one of three main indigenous groups on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast.

Due to centuries of colonial suppression the Rama people’s native language is facing extinction. Language revitalization efforts have been made in recent years and have achieved early success in Rama communities. Rama territory is currently being threatened by the Nicaraguan government and foreign investors, who are seeking to develop a transoceanic canal and to extract resources from the region.^[1][2]