Baniwa

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A language of Venezuela

ISO 639-3

bwi

Alternate Names

Baniba, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Maniba

Population

610 in Venezuela (2007 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,410 (2001 census).

Location

Amazonas state: Colombia border area, between Curipaco [kpc] and Guarequena [gae] language areas.

Language Maps

Northwestern Brazil

Venezuela

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Classification

Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Eastern Nawiki, Karu

Dialects

The Carutana dialect is extinct. Related to Curripaco [kpc]. Groups on middle Içana and Ayarí rivers speak Baniwa: Hohodené, Kadaupuritana, Sucuriyu-Tapuya, Siusy-Tapuya, Irá-Tapuya, Kawá-Tapuya, Waliperedakenai (Ribeiro 1967).

Language Use

Low vitality. Most also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

NT: 1965–1985.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Baniwa

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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Brazil

Language nameBaniwa

Population

Ethnic population: 5,150 (Crevels 2007).

Location

Amazonas state: Middle Içana river.

Alternate Names

Baniba, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Dakenei, Issana, Kohoroxitari, Maniba

Dialects

Carutana.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Vigorous. Also use Nhengatu [yrl], Portuguese [por]. Used as L2 by Guarequena [gae].

Language Development

More parents are putting their children in schools. In rural areas, teacher use L1 most of the time; in urban areas, Portuguese [por] is used.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Go to Colombia or Venezuela to work or trade. Some isolated and uncontacted groups of Baniwa may exist in Brazil.

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Ethnologue

Baniwa

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A language of Venezuela

Also spoken in:

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