Ninam

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A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
shb
Alternate Names
Xirixana, Yanam
Population

800 in Brazil (2010 C. Luz). Most are monolingual. About evenly divided between northern and southern dialects. 15,700 for all Yanomam groups in Brazil (2006 FUNASA). Population total all countries: 900. Ethnic population: 1,200 (C. Luz).

Location

Roraima, Mucajaí, upper Uraricaá and Paragua rivers. Also in Venezuela.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Yanomaman
Dialects

Northern Ninam (Shiriana, Uraricaa-Paragua), Southern Ninam (Mukajai, Shirishana).

Language Use

All ages. Some children are beginning to learn Portuguese [por].

Language Development
Bible portions: 1970.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ninam
Other Comments

Distinct from the Arawakan Xiriâna [xir].

Also spoken in:

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