Baniwa

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A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
bwi
Alternate Names
Baniba, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Dakenei, Issana, Kohoroxitari, Maniba
Population

5,460 in Brazil (1983 SIL). Population total all countries: 6,070. Ethnic population: 5,150 (Crevels 2007).

Location

Amazonas, Middle Içana river. Also in Venezuela.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Eastern Nawiki, Karu
Dialects

Carutana. The Carutana dialect is extinct. Related to Curripaco [kpc]. Groups on middle Içana and Ayarí rivers speak Baniwa: Hohodené, Kadaupuritana, Sucuriyu-Tapuya, Siusy-Tapuya, Irá-Tapuya, Kawá-Tapuya, Waliperedakenai (Ribeiro 1967).

Language Use

Vigorous. Many also use Nhengatu [yrl]. Portuguese [por] used with outsiders.

Language Development
More parents are putting their children in schools. In rural areas, teacher use L1 most of the time; in urban areas, Portuguese [por] is used. NT: 1965–1985.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baniwa
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Go to Colombia or Venezuela to work or trade. Some isolated and uncontacted groups of Baniwa may exist in Brazil.

Also spoken in:

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