Cuiba

A language of Colombia

Cuiva, Hiwi, Kuiva, Maiben

Cuiba-Wámonae

2,200 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 1,440 (2018 census). 900 Cuiba, 520 Masiware, and 20 Chiricoa (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 2,640.

Location

Arauca department: Cravo Norte municipality; Casanare department: Betania, El Merey, Esmeralda, Mochuelo, San José de Ariporo, and Santa María on Capanaparo river and tributaries; Vichada department: Meta river south bank.

Language Maps

5* (Developing).

Chiricoa, Masiware (Masiguare), Chiripo (Siripu, Wupiwi), Yarahuuraxi-Capanapara, Mayayero, Mochuelo-Casanare-Cuiba, Tampiwi (Mariposas), Amaruwa (Amorua). 8 dialects in Venezuela and Colombia.

Typology

17 consonants and 8 vowels.

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 45%. Literacy rate in L2: 45%. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1988–2010.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Cuiba

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Seminomadic bands.

Also spoken in:

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Venezuela

Language NameCuiba

User Population

440 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Nearly all monolingual. Ethnic population: 400 (2011 census).

Location

Apure state: upper Capanaparo river area and Riecito tributary.

Alternate Names

Cuiva, Kuiva

Dialects

Chiricoa, Amaruwa (Amorua), Masiguare, Siripu, Yarahuuraxi-Capanapara, Mella, Ptamo, Sicuane (Sicuari).

Language Status

5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4), The Amorua dialect of Cuiba [cui] is listed separately in the statute.

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 1%.

Other Comments

Seminomadic bands.

View other languages of Venezuela

Cuiba

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A language of Colombia

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