Arhuaco | Ethnologue

A language of Colombia

ISO 639: arh
Alternate Names: Arauco, Arhuac, Aruac, Aruaco, Arwako, Auroguac, Bintucua, Bintuk, Bintukwa, Bíntuka, Bíntukua, Bítuncua, Ica, Ijca, Ijka, Ika, Ikan, Ike, Ikʉ
Autonym: Iku
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 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: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Children are developing literacy in Arhuaco at school. Taught in 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.

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