Baniwa

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A language of Venezuela

ISO 639-3

bwi

Alternate Names

Baniba, Banibo, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Maniba

Population

610 (2007 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,410 (2001 census). Total users in all countries: 6,420.

Location

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

Language Maps

Northwestern Brazil

Venezuela

Language Status

8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4).

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 Full

5,810 (Crevels 2011).

Location

Amazonas state: Middle Içana river.

Alternate Names

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

Dialects

Carutana.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Also use Nhengatu [yrl]. Also use Portuguese [por], for communication with outsiders. 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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