Guahibo

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A language of Colombia

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

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

Location

Plains region, mainly Vichada and eastern Meta departments; border areas in Casanare, Guaviare, Arauca, and Guainia departments.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Guajiboan, Guajibo
Dialects

Amorua (Rio Tomo Guahibo), Guahibo (Sikuani), 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. 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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