Guahibo

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
guh
Alternate Names
Goahibo, Goahiva, Guaigua, Guajibo, Guayba, Wahibo, “Sicuani” (pej.), “Sikuani” (pej.)
Autonym
Hivi
Population

23,000 (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). 9,200 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 34,200.

Location

Arauca, Casanare, Guainía, Guaviare, Meta, and Vichada departments: plains region, border areas.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Guajiboan, Guajibo
Dialects

Guahibo (Sikuani), Amorua (Rio Tomo Guahibo), Tigrero, Vichadeño. Guahiban languages may not be within Arawakan.

Typology

SOV, SVO.

Language Use

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
OLAC resources in and about Guahibo
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Río Tomo Guahibo are nomadic. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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