Arhuaco

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
arh
Alternate Names
Arauco, Arhuac, Aruac, Aruaco, Arwako, Auroguac, Bintucua, Bintuk, Bintukwa, Bíntuka, Bíntukua, Bítuncua, Ica, Ijca, Ijka, Ika, Ikan, Ike, Ikʉ
Autonym
Iku
User Population

8,000 (2009 P. Frank). 7,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 34,700 (2018 census).

Location

Cesar and Magdalena departments: northeast and southern slopes of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Chibchan, Chibchan B, Eastern Chibchan, Colombian, Northern Colombian, Arhuacan, Southern and Eastern Arhuacan
Typology

SOV; 15 consonants and 6 vowels.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa], especially men and school-age young people, and especially in written form.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–40%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Children are developing literacy in Arhuaco at school. Taught as subject in a few primary schools. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 2005.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Arhuaco
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Strong traditional culture. Traditional religion.