Kamsá Indigenous People

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In the valley of Sibundoy (located between 10,000 and 11,000 ft above sea level), in the Northwestern department of Putumayo, live the indigenous group known as the Kamsá --(or Kamenstá, Sibundoy). The language spoken by this group is also known as Kamsá, and is known as an language isolate -- meaning that it is unrelated to any other known language. In 1980, it was estimated that the population was around 4,700 people.

The Kamsá engage in trade and training with several Indian tribes from the lower, jungle regions of Putumayo -- Kofán, Coreguaje & Inga. The training consists of the training of their shaman (religious/medical leaders), who learn to use medicinal plants and religious ceremonial plants like the hallucinogenic plant yagé. They cultivate corn, beans, potatoes, and peas.

See a picture of the Kamsá here:


Online I found the following list of Kamsá words:

English/Français/Español.......... Kamsá
One/Un/Uno ........................Kañe
Two/Deux/Dos.......................Uta
Three/Trois/Tres...................Unga
Man/Homme/Hombre...................Entxa
Woman/Femme/Mujer..................Xembasa
Dog/Chien/Perro....................Kexe
Sun/Soleil/Sol.....................Xiñe
Moon/Lune/Luna.....................Juaxkona
Water/Eau/Agua.....................Buyexe

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