Guahibo

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A language of Colombia

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

23,000 in Colombia (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). 9,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 52,400 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 35,000.

Location

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

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Guajiboan, Guajibo
Dialects

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

Typology

SOV, SVO; 17 consonants and 18 vowels, contrasting in length and nasality.

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 45%. Literacy rate in L2: 45%. Taught as subject in most primary schools. Literature. Newspapers. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. 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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