Page Type: languageWaimaha | Ethnologue

BAO ISO 639-3

Waimaha

Waimaja Autonym

A language of Colombia

ISO 639
bao
Alternate Names
Barasano, Barasano del Norte, Bará-Tuyuka, Northern Barasano, Waimasa, Waymasa, “Bará” (pej.)
Autonym
Waimaja
Population
110 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Some monolinguals over 40. Ethnic population: 1,000 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 131.
Location:
Vaupés department: Mitú, upper Papurí, mid and upper Pira-Paraná tributaries, and Tiquié.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Tucanoan, Eastern Tucanoan, Bará-Tuyuka
Dialects
Eastern Waimaha, Pamoa Bara.
Typology
SOV; 10 consonants and 12 vowels (6 oral, 6 nasal).
Language Use
Passed on from fathers to children. Most domains, home, family, religion, local commerce, community. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use Spanish [spa], especially in school and with government officials. Also use Barasana-Eduria [bsn]. Also use Carapana [cbc]. Also use Macuna [myy]. Also use Tatuyo [tav]. Also use Tucano [tuo]. Also use Tuyuca [tue]. Also use Wajiara [yui]. All use 2 to 4 of the other languages due to marriage patterns across language boundaries. Children speak the language of each parent, but identify with the father’s language. Used as L2 by Tuyuca [tue].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 25%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–40%. Letter writing between communities. Written and oral forms used in religious services. Literature. NT: 2010.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Waimaha
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Christian, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Waimaha
User Population
21 in Brazil (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 21 (Crevels 2012).
Location
Amazonas state: Terra Indigena Pari Cachoeira, Bittencourt and Iauareté municipalities; Terra Indigena Pari Cachoeira II, Iauareté municipality; Terra Indigena Pari Cachoeira III, Bittencourt municipality, all on upper Tiquié river.
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct)
View other languages of Brazil

Map

Location: Vaupés department: Mitú, upper Papurí, mid and upper Pira-Paraná tributaries, and Tiquié.