Amahuaca

Amahuaca is a Panoan language spoken by about 250 people in Peru and Brazil. It is also known as Amawaka, Amaguaco, Ameuhaque, Ipitineri and Sayaco, and is closely related to Kashinawa and Shipibo. The Amahuaca dialects include Inuvaken and Viwivaken.

The name Amahuaca refer to the Capivara River in Brazil, along which the Amahuaca people live. The Amahuaca call themselves Yora (people) or Honi Kuin (real men). The name Ipitineri was given to them by the neighbouring Piro tribe.

While Amahuaca has no official status it is used in some schools. A dictionary and grammar are being produced, and parts of the Bible have been translated into it.

Amahuaca alphabet and pronunciation

Amahuaca is a tonal language with two tones: high and low. The high tone can be marked with an acute accent (á), and the low tone is not marked.

Source: http://www.native-languages.org/amahuaca_guide.htm

Download an Amahuaca alphabet chart (Excel)

Sample text

Tzovan jato jumahaito hinaayamanonmun vacunoxcanquihnucanpu. Tzovan jato zinaayamanonmun vacunoxcanquihnucanpu. Jonitzan derechocavizyahtoxrivimun vacunoxcanquihqui. Quiyoovinin shinanquin hiromaquin jaucuzahavorahquiqui shinantimunhcanquihqui. Vacurazixquicavizhi quiyoovinixjatimunhcanquihnucanpu.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Links

Information about the Amahuaca language
http://www.native-languages.org/amahuaca.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amahuaca_language
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_amahuaca

Panoan languages

Amahuaca, Kashibo, Kashinawa, Matsés, Shipibo, Yaminawa

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 17.11.22

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