Cumanagoto

The Cumanagoto were Cariban-speaking communities in northeastern Venezuela, between the Unare and Neverí rivers and around Cumaná. They grew maize and cassava, and defended villages with wooden palisades.

In 1637 the Spanish conqueror Joan Orpí led an expedition into Cumanagoto territory and founded New Barcelona the following year. His province of New Catalonia was absorbed into New Andalusia in 1654; the Cumanagoto ceased to exist as a tribal or governmental unit during the 17th century.