Page Type: languageKayapó | Ethnologue

TXU ISO 639-3

Kayapó

Mẽbêngôkre kabẽn Autonym

A language of Brazil

ISO 639
txu
Alternate Names
Cayapo, Kokraimoro, Mebêngokrê, Put Karot
Autonym
Mẽbêngôkre kabẽn
Population
7,270 (Crevels 2012). 19 communities in regular contact with outsiders; also 3–4 isolated Kayapó groups of 30–100 people (Crevels 2007). 3,950 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 7,270 (Crevels 2012).
Location:
Mato Grosso and Pará states: Xingú Park, both sides of Xingú river, west up to the Iriri and tributaries; west bank to Fresco and Zinho rivers; 14 villages.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Jean, Northern
Dialects
Xikrin (Diore, Xukru), Kararaó, Kayapó-Kradaú. Dialects only slightly different from village names.
Typology
SOV; 16 consonants and 17 vowels, including 7 nasal vowels.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains, including initial education. Used by all. Positive attitudes. A few also use Portuguese [por]. Used as L2 by Panará [kre].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. 400 readers, 100 can write. Taught in primary schools. Literature. Grammar. NT: 1996.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kayapó
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
The village names sometimes listed as dialects are: Txukuhamai (Txucarramãe), Gorotire, Kube-Kran-Kenh (Cabeca Pelada), Kokraimoro, Menkragnotire (Mentuktire, Kuben-Kragnotire, Gente Preta, Kubenkrangnoti, Kubenkrankegn, Menkrangnoti), Pacajá, and others. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Mato Grosso and Pará states: Xingú Park, both sides of Xingú river, west up to the Iriri and tributaries; west bank to Fresco and Zinho rivers; 14 villages.