Page Type: languageMacushi | Ethnologue

MBC ISO 639-3

Macushi

Makusi Autonym

A language of Brazil

ISO 639
mbc
Alternate Names
Macushi Maimu, Macusi, Macuxi, Makuchi, Makushi, Makuxi, Teueia, Teweya
Autonym
Makusi
Population
15,000 in Brazil (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 23,400 (2006 FUNASA). Total users in all countries: 15,930.
Location:
Roraima state; Contingo, Mau, Pium, Quino rivers.
Language Status
6b* (Threatened).
Classification
Cariban, North Amazonian, Pemón, Pemón proper
Dialects
None known. Not intelligible with Pemon [aoc] or Patamona [pbc].
Typology
OVS; 10 consonants and 12 vowels (6 short, 6 long).
Language Use
Most still speak the language (Crevels 2007). Most also use Portuguese [por], increasingly.
Language Development
NT: 1996.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Macushi
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Macushi
User Population
930 in Guyana (2001 FUNASA). Ethnic population: 7,750 (Crevels 2007).
Location
Potaro-Siparuni and Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo regions: Southwest border area, Rupununi north savannahs, 20 small settlements up to Pakaraima mountain foothills.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
View other languages of Guyana
Language Name
Macushi
User Population
The number of Makushi speakers in Venezuela is not clear since 1992 Indigenous Census probably included them in the Pemon group (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 89 (2011 census).
Location
Bolívar state: southeast border area, Caroni river, west of Pan American highway.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
View other languages of Venezuela

Map

Location: Roraima state; Contingo, Mau, Pium, Quino rivers.