Nambikuára, Southern

A language of Brazil

ISO 639: nab
Alternate Names: Nambicuara, Nambikuára, Nambikwara, Nambikwara do Sul, Nambiquara, Southern Nambikwara
Population: 720 (Moore 2006). Ethnic population: 720 (Moore 2006).
Location:: Mato Grosso state: along Porto Velho-Cuiabá highway. 10 villages.
Language Status: 5* (Developing).
Classification: Nambikwara, Nambikwara Complex
Dialects: Manduka, Khithaulhu (Kitãulhu, ki³thãu³lhu²), Halotesu, Saxwentesu, Wakalitesu, Serra Azul, Hahaintesu, Wasusu, Alatesu, Waikisu, Galera, Sarare, Alaketesu, Anunsu.
Typology: SOV; 13 consonants and 18 vowels, contrasting in nasality and creaky voice; tonal.
Language Use: Vigorous. Positive attitudes. Many also use Portuguese [por].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Some bilingual education. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1992.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Nambikuára, Southern
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Manduca are semi-integrated. Population reduced from 10,000 to 600 in 1920s, 1930s, and 1950s by measles and other epidemics. Settlers from outside bring in agriculture, lumber, and mining which threaten the Nambikuára way of life. Manairisu is a subgroup. Traditional religion, Christian.

Location: Mato Grosso state: along Porto Velho-Cuiabá highway. 10 villages.