Guahibo

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
guh
Alternate Names
Goahibo, Goahiva, Guaigua, Guajibo, Guayba, “Sicuani” (pej.), “Sikuani” (pej.), Wahibo
Population

23,000 in Colombia (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). 40% monolingual. Population total all countries: 34,200.

Location

Plains regions, Casanare, eastern Meta, Vichada, Guaviare, and Guainía departments. Also in Venezuela.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Guajiboan, Guajibo
Dialects

Amorua (Rio Tomo Guahibo), Guahibo (Sikuani), Tigrero, Vichadeño. Guahiban languages may not be within Arawakan.

Typology

SOV, SVO

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 45%. Literacy rate in L2: 45%. Primary schools in most areas. Secondary schools in some areas. Newspapers. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1982–2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Guahibo
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Río Tomo Guahibo are nomadic. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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