SJA ISO 639-3
Epena
Epéna Pedée Autonym
A language of Colombia
- ISO 639
- sja
- Alternate Names
- Cholo, Embena, Embera, Emberá-Saija, Epená Saija, Saija, Southern Empera
- Autonym
- Epéna Pedée
- Population
- 3,500 in Colombia (2004 IMB), increasing. Ethnic population: 7,050 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 3,552.
- Location:
- Cauca, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca departments: 2 separate areas on South Pacific coast.
- Language Status
- 4 (Educational).
- Classification
- Chocoan, Emberá, Southern Emberá
- Dialects
- Basurudó.
- Typology
- 17 consonants and 21 vowels, contrasting in length and nasality.
- Language Use
- Vigorous. Home, religion, fiestas, ceremonies, commerce. Positive attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa]. Also use Woun Meu [noa].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. 400 readers, 50 can write. Movement toward using the language in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2005–2015.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Epena
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Traditional religion, Christian.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Esmeraldas province: Borbón town on Santiago river delta; northern Pacific coast.
- Dialects
- Basurudo.
- Language Status
- 8a (Moribund)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Ecuador
Language Name
Epena
User Population
52 in Ecuador (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 510 (2012 UNSD).
- Location
- Panamá province: southeast low hills inland.
- Dialects
- Basurudo.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Panama
Language Name
Epena
Map
Location: Cauca, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca departments: 2 separate areas on South Pacific coast.
Size and Vitality
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