Baniwa

A language of Venezuela

ISO 639: bwi
Alternate Names: Baniba, Banibo, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Baniwa do Içana, Maniba
Population: 610 in Venezuela (2007 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 3,500 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 6,420.
Location:: Amazonas state: Colombia border area, between Curipaco [kpc] and Guarequena [gae] language areas.
Language Status: 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4).
Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Eastern Nawiki, Karu
Dialects: The Carutana dialect is extinct. Related to Curripaco [kpc]. Groups on middle Içana and Ayarí rivers speak Baniwa: Hohodené, Kadaupuritana, Sucuriyu-Tapuya, Siusy-Tapuya, Irá-Tapuya, Kawá-Tapuya, Waliperedakenai (Ribeiro 1967).
Typology: 16 consonants and 8 vowels (4 short, 4 long).
Language Use: Shifted to Spanish [spa].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1965–1985.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Baniwa
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

Brazil

Location: Amazonas state: Middle Içana river.
Dialects: Carutana.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. Go to Colombia or Venezuela to work or trade. Some isolated and uncontacted groups of Baniwa may exist in Brazil.

Location: Amazonas state: Colombia border area, between Curipaco [kpc] and Guarequena [gae] language areas.