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When the Portuguese colonists arrived in southern Bahia in 1500, the Brazilian coastal lands were occupied by the Tupi-Guarani Indians.

Indigenous groups of the Bahian coast

The predominant indigenous groups on the Bahian coast were the Tupiniquins and the Tupinambás.

• The Tupiniquins inhabited the strip from Camamu to Espírito Santo.
• The Tupinambás dominated the vast coastal area from Sergipe to Ilhéus.

The interior of the state was dominated by the Aimorés or Botocudos, who were not known to the Portuguese until many years later.

Barter relations

From the beginning, there was a peaceful bartering relationship between the colonists and the natives. The Indians provided the colonists with food, wood for construction and labour to cut down trees.

In return, they received tools, clothing and other utensils, which were incorporated into their consumption from the moment they came into contact with the Portuguese.

Changing relationships

According to anthropologist Maria Hilda Baqueiro Paraíso, as the colonisation process became more extensive and demanding, the colonists began to change their relationship with the indigenous peoples. Attempts to enslave the indigenous peoples became more effective.

On the other hand, this provoked reactions from the indigenous peoples, who did not accept the new type of relationship. The Tupiniquins were gradually wiped out in battles against the colonists.

Consequences of colonisation

Combined with ecological and biotic factors, such as epidemics of smallpox, this process led to the death of more than two-thirds of the indigenous population of Far South Bahia in the second half of the 16th century.

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Indigenous peoples in Bahia

Most indigenous people live in southern Bahia, where villages of the Pataxó and Truká peoples are located.

According to the 2010 census, about 17,741 indigenous people live in the cities of Porto Seguro, Ilhéus, Santa Cruz Cabrália, Pau Brasil and Prado.

The capital, Salvador, is the city with the largest concentration of indigenous people in Bahia, with around 7,500, followed by municipalities in the southern region.

At least 14 indigenous peoples live in Bahia.

• Pataxó
• Truká
• Tuxá
• Atikun
• Xucuru-Kariri
• Pankararé
• Tumbalala
• Kantaruré
• Kaimbé
• Tupinambá
• Payayá
• Kiriri
• Pankaru
• Pataxó Ha Ha Hae

Bahia has at least 11 recognised indigenous territories.

Most are located in the south and extreme south of the state and belong to the Pataxó people.

Demarcated indigenous territories or villages

In the process of regularisation

• Barra Velha do Monte Pascoal (Porto Seguro), of the Pataxó ethnic group
• Tupinambá of Olivença (Ilhéus, Una and Buararema), of the Tupinambá ethnic group
• Tupinambá of Belmonte (Belmonte), of the Tupinambá ethnic group

Regularised in the cities of

• Prado
• Pau Brazil
• Santa Cruz Cabrália
• Safe haven
• Camamu, Funai recognises the territory of Fazenda Bahiana as an indigenous reserve

Indigenous peoples of Bahia – Bahia Salvador tourism and travel guide

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 18/11/2012 · Updated on 10/08/2025

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