Hixkaryána | Ethnologue

A language of Brazil

ISO 639: hix
Alternate Names: Chawiyana, Faruaru, Hichkaryana, Hishkariana, Hishkaryana, Hixkariana, Hyxkaryana, Kumiyana, Parucutu, Parukoto-Charuma, Sherewyana, Sokaka, Wabui, Xereu, Xerewyana
Autonym: Hixkaryána
Population: 1,200 (2020 M. da Silva). Ethnic population: 1,200 (2012 SESAI).
Location:: Pará and Amazonas states: upper Nhamunda river to Mapuera and Jatapu rivers.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Cariban, Waiwai
Dialects: Reportedly similar to Waiwai [waw]. No dialectal variation. Some Hixkaryana who live among the Waiwai are called Sherewyana.
Typology: OVS; 18 consonants and 5 vowels.
Language Use: Vigorous. Used by all. Many also use Portuguese [por]. Many also use Waiwai [waw].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%–20%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Hixkaryana literacy no longer taught in schools. Mother tongue literacy only taught by some parents in home. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1976.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Hixkaryána
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: In 1959 the population was about 100, with few children, high infant mortality, low will to live. By 1977 it was 237. Through modern medicine, intermarrying with the Waiwai [waw], and government help in setting up a Brazil nut industry, they continue to grow.

Location: Pará and Amazonas states: upper Nhamunda river to Mapuera and Jatapu rivers.