Baniwa

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A language of Venezuela

ISO 639-3
bwi
Alternate Names
Baniba, Banibo, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Baniwa do Içana, Maniba
User Population

610 in Venezuela (2007 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 3,500 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 6,420.

Location

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

Language Maps
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).

Typology

16 consonants and 8 vowels (4 short, 4 long).

Language Use

Shifted to Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1965–1985.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baniwa
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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