Iquito
PrintA language of Peru
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Amacacore, Hamacore, Ikito, Iquita, Puca-Uma, Quiturran
Population
35 (2002 SIL), decreasing. 1 monolingual. Ethnic population: 230 (Crevels 2007).
Location
Loreto Region, Pintoyacu, Nanay, and Chambira rivers; San Antonia and Atalaya.
Language Maps
Language Status
8a (Moribund).
Classification
Dialects
Pintuyacu. Similar to Cahuarano [cah].
Language Use
Older adults. Negative attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 75%. Bible portions: 1963–2002.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script.
In 1958–1966 there were 100 speakers on the verge of extinction and acculturation to Spanish-speaking society. Children understood but did not speak, adults were bilingual with Spanish, older people understood Spanish, but only spoke Iquito. Speakers died from measles, whooping cough, and pneumonia. The rubber boom and landowner (patron) system had devastating effects. Christian.