Chaima

Chaima (Chayma), a large Venezuelan nation in the Punceres mountains, and in Cano Colorado, between Aragua and the Gulf of Paria; at the time of Humboldt's visit (1800) they numbered 15,000, but have since been reduced; short stature, slit eyes, high cheek-bones, black lank hair, sparse beard, very light or sallow complexion. Dana says they might be taken for Creoles, but for their greater modesty (Recollections of Four Years in Venezuela). The language seems to show Carib affinities, but many now speak Spanish. A treatise on it was composed by P. Tauste in the 17th century, entitled Vocabulario y Arte de la Lengua de los Indios Chagmas.