Chachi

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A language of Ecuador

ISO 639-3
cbi
Alternate Names
“Cayapa” (pej.), Cha’ Palaachi, Cha’palaa, Cha’palaachi
Population

9,500 (2004).

Location

North coastal jungle, Esmeraldas Province, Cayapas river and tributaries (Onzole, Canandé, Sucio, Cojimíes, and others).

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Barbacoan, Southern
Typology

SOV

Language Use

Elders and preschool-aged children are mostly monolingual (2007). Women, older adults, and those living in the isolated headwaters of the river are less bilingual in Spanish [spa].

Language Development
Dictionary. NT: 2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chachi
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Ethnonym: Chachi (sg.), Chachilla (pl.). Traditional religion, Christian.