Nambikuára, Southern

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A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
nab
Alternate Names
Alaketesu, Anunsu, Nambikwara, Nambiquara
Population

720 (Moore 2006). Ethnic population: 720 (Moore 2006).

Location

Northwest Mato Grosso, along Porto Velho-Cuiabá highway about 300 km. 10 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Nambiquaran, Mamaindê
Dialects

Alaketesu, Alatesu, Anunsu, Galera, Hahaintesu, Halotesu, Khithaulhu, Manduka, Sarare, Saxwentesu, Serra Azul, Waikisu, Wakalitesu, Wasusu.

Typology

SOV, tonal

Language Use

Vigorous. Positive attitudes. Some also use Portuguese [por].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Some bilingual education. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1992.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nambikuára, Southern
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Manduca are semi-integrated. Population reduced from 10,000 to 600 in 1920s, 1930s, and 1950s by measles and other epidemics. Settlers from outside bring in agriculture, lumber, and mining which threaten the Nambikuára way of life. Manairisu is a subgroup. Traditional religion, Christian.