Huitoto, Murui

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A language of Peru

ISO 639-3
huu
Alternate Names
Bue, Witoto
Population

1,000 in Peru (1995 SIL), decreasing. Very few monolinguals. 1,130 Huitoto in Peru (Crevels 2007). Population total all countries: 7,800.

Location

Northeast, Ampiyacu, Putumayo, and Napo rivers; north of Amazon river between Iquitos, Peru and Leticia, Colombia south, Caquetá river north. Also in Colombia.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (1993, Constitution, Article 48).

Classification
Witotoan, Proto-Huitoto-Ocaina, Early Huitoto, Proto-Minica-Murai
Dialects

Mica.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Shifting to Spanish [spa]. Children acquire Huitoto but many of them do not use the language (2007). Written and oral use in religious services. Also use Spanish [spa]. A few also use Bora [boa].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. 95% of those under 40 are literate. Recognized by government for school use. Dictionary. NT: 1978–2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Huitoto, Murui
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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