Witoto, Murui

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A language of Colombia

Alternate Names

Bue, Central Witoto proper, Huitoto, Komïne, Murai, Murai Huitoto, Murui Huitoto, Uitoto, Witoto

Huitoto Murui, Murui

User Population

600 in Colombia (2008). Ethnic population: 12,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 1,000.

Amazonas, Caquetá, and Putumayo departments: between Putumayo and Caquetá rivers, north of Porto Arturo.

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Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Witotoan, Proto-Huitoto-Ocaina, Early Huitoto, Proto-Minica-Murai

Mika.

SOV; 14 consonants and 6 vowels.

Used as L2 by Ocaina [oca].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1978–2008.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Witoto, Murui

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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Peru

Language NameWitoto, Murui

User Population

400 in Peru (2008), decreasing. 1,130 Huitoto in Peru (Crevels 2007). Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,100 (2008).

Location

Loreto region: Ampiyacu, Napo, and Putumayo rivers; between Iquitos, Peru and Leticia, Colombia.

Alternate Names

Bue, Huitoto, Huitoto Murai, Murui, Murui Huitoto, Witoto

Dialects

Mica (Mika).

Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Written and oral use in religious services. Shifting to Spanish [spa]. A few also use Bora [boa]. Used as L2 by Bora [boa], Muinani Witoto [hux], Ocaina [oca].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. 95% of those under 40 are literate. Recognized by government for school use.

Other Comments

Traditional religion.

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