Guahibo
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A language of Colombia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Goahibo, Goahiva, Guaigua, Guajibo, Guayba, Hiwi, Jive, Wahibo, Wahivo, “Sicuani” (pej.), “Sikuani” (pej.)
Autonym
Hivi
Population
23,000 in Colombia (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). 9,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 23,000 (Crevels 2012). Total users in all countries: 35,000.
Location
Arauca, Casanare, Guainía, Guaviare, Meta, and Vichada departments: plains region, border areas.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
Guahibo (Sikuani), Amorua (Rio Tomo Guahibo), Tigrero, Vichadeño. Guahiban languages may not be within Arawakan.
Typology
SOV, SVO.
Language Use
Used by all. Also use Spanish [spa].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 45%. Literacy rate in L2: 45%. Primary schools in most areas. Secondary schools in some areas. Literature. Newspapers. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1982–2011.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Río Tomo Guahibo are nomadic. Traditional religion, Christian.