Guahibo | Ethnologue

A language of Colombia

ISO 639: guh
Alternate Names: Goahibo, Goahiva, Guaigua, Guajibo, Guayba, Hiwi, Jive, Wahibo, Wahivo, “Sicuani” (pej.), “Sikuani” (pej.)
Autonym: Hivi
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 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%. Primary schools in most areas. Secondary schools in some areas. 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.

Venezuela

Location: Amazonas, Apure, and Bolívar states; Upper Orinoco and Meta rivers, Orinoco river from Caicaro de Orinoco.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Dispute about whether Guahiban languages are in the Arawakan language family.

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