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Venezuela | Ethnologue
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Venezuela

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Akawaio
[ake] Bolivar State, upper Kamarang river; Monagas State, near Amacuro Delta Territory border. 180 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 810 (1993 OCEI ). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Acahuayo, Acawayo, Acewaio, Akawai, Waicá, Waika Dialects: Classification: Cariban, North Amazonian, Pemón, Pemón proper, Kapong Ethnic autonym: Kapon, by both Akawaio and Patamona [pbc].
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Arawak
[arw] Coastal area near Guyana, Delta Amacuro. 100 in Venezuela (2002 SIL). 230 (71%) of the ethnic group are monolingual in Spanish [spa], some in English [eng]. Ethnic population: 428 (2008). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Arowak, Lokono Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Maritime, Ta-Maipurean Came to Venezuela from Guyana.
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Arutani
[atx] Below Karum river area, Bolivar State, Paraqua and Uraricáa rivers’ headwaters. 25 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 29 in Venezuela (2002 SIL). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Aoaqui, Auake, Auaqué, Awaké, Oewaku, Uruak, Urutani Dialects: Classification: Language isolate Most intermarried with the Ninam, some with the Pemón (Arecuna), a few with the Sape and do not speak Arutani fluently.
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Baniva
[bvv] Amazonas State, Atabapo and Casiquiare regions. Colombia border area. No remaining speakers. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Abane, Avani, Ayane Dialects: Baniva, Quirruba. Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Central Upper Amazon, Yavitero Distinct from Baniwa [bwi] in Río Negro region.
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Baniwa
[bwi] Amazonas, along Colombia border, between Curipaco [kpc] and Guarequena [gae] language areas, along the Colombia border. 610 in Venezuela (2007 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,410 (2001 census). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Baniba, Baniua do Içana, Baniva, Maniba Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Eastern Nawiki, Karu
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Baré
[bae] Extreme southwest at Colombia border, Amazonas, along the upper Río Negro from Brazil-Venezuela border to Casiquiare Canal, Maroa. Also in Brazil. 240 in Venezuela (2011 W. Largo). Ethnic population: 2,790 (1998). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Arihini, Barauana, Barauna, Barawana, Cunipusana, Ihini, Maldavaca, Mitua, Yavita Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Central Upper Amazon, Baré ‘Baré’ is also a cover term for separate languages: Baré, Mandahuaca [mht], Guarequena [gae], Baniwa [bwi], and Piapoco [pio].
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Barí
[mot] Venezuela-Colombia border, Zulia State, Sierra de Perijá southern zone, to Yukpa territory north and Catatumbo river south. 1,770 in Venezuela (2001 census). Significant number are still monolingual (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 2,200. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Motilón, Motilone Dialects: Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan B, Eastern Chibchan, Colombian, Southern Colombian Unrelated to Carib Motilón [yup] (Yukpa). M. Durbin questions its classification as Chibchan; Voegelin and Voegelin 1977 classify it as Arawakan.
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Carib
[car] Monagas and Anzoategui states, northeast near Orinoco river mouth, some in Bolivar state, just south of Orinoco. Also in Brazil (Galibi), French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname. 4,450 in Venezuela (2001 census). Population total all countries: 7,358. Ethnic population: 11,200 (Crevels 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Caribe, Cariña, Galibi, Kalihna, Kalinya, Kariña Dialects: Murato (Myrato, Western Carib), Tabajari. Eastern dialect primarily in eastern Suriname and in French Guiana and Brazil; western dialect in central and western areas of Suriname and in Guyana and Venezuela. Classification: Cariban
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Chaima
[ciy] East coastal region, Sucre State. 63 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 4,090. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Chayma, Guaga-Tagare, Sayma, Warapiche Dialects: Classification: Cariban, Central, Cumaná
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Cuiba
[cui] Apure State, along upper Capanaparo river and its tributary Riecito. 650 in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Nearly all monolingual. Ethnic population: 650 (Crevels 2007). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Cuiva Dialects: Amaruwa (Amorua), Chiricoa, Masiguare, Mella, Ptamo, Sicuane (Sicuari), Siripu, Yarahuuraxi-Capanapara. Classification: Guajiboan Seminomadic bands.
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Cumanagoto
[cuo] East coastal region. 49 (2001 census). Ethnic population: 530. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Dialects: Classification: Cariban, Central, Cumaná
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Curripaco
[kpc] Amazonas State, Victorino and San Fernando de Atabapo zones. 3,630 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 4,930. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Curipaco, Kuripako, Kurripako, Yaverete-Tapuya Dialects: Âja-Kurri, Êje-Kjénim, Ôjo-Kjárru. Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Eastern Nawiki, Karu
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E’ñapa Woromaipu
[pbh] Bolivar State, 240 km south of Caicara de Orinoco, west of Cuchivero river; savannah and highland groups. 20 or more settlements. 3,540 (2001 census). 70% monolingual. Nearly all women monolingual; men bilingual in Spanish [spa] to varying degrees. Ethnic population: 4,270 (2001 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Abira, Eñapa, Eñepa, Eye, Panare, Panari Dialects: Classification: Cariban, South Amazonian Ethnonyn: E’ñepa.
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German, Colonia Tovar
[gct] 1,500 (2009 H. Collin). Ethnic population: 6,000. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Alemán Coloniero, Patois Dialects: Developed from Alemannisch [gsw] (Oberdeutsch) of 1843 under the influence of many other dialects of south Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Not intelligible with Standard German [deu]; may be close to Alsatian dialect of Swiss German [gsw] in France. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic
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Guahibo
[guh] Amazonas and Apure states, Orinoco river from Caicaro de Orinoco on the upper Orinoco. 11,200 in Venezuela (2001 census). 37% urban. Ethnic population: 14,800. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Guajibo, Hiwi, Jiwi, Sikuani, Wahibo Dialects: Classification: Guajiboan, Guajibo Dispute about whether Guahiban languages are in the Arawakan language family.
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Guarequena
[gae] Amazonas, San Miguel river, Guzmán Blanco village, below Maroa. Possibly in Colombia. Also in Brazil. 160 in Venezuela (2001 census). Population total all countries: 650. Ethnic population: 510. Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Arequena, Guarekena, Uerequema, Urequema, Warekena Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Western Nawiki, Warekena
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Japreria
[jru] Zulia State, north Sierra de Perija. 170 (2002 census). 10 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 220. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Yapreria Dialects: Not inherently intelligible with other Carib languages of the area (1973 M. Durbin). Lexical similarity: 60% with Yukpa [yup] (Largo and Morales 2009). Classification: Cariban, Yukpa, Yucpa-Yapreria Possibly came from the Yukpas in central Colombia.
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Maco
[wpc] Ventuari river tributaries, Wapuchi, Paru, Yureba, and Marueta rivers; Marueta, Wapuchi, Porvenir, Tavi-Tavi, Mariche, and Morocoto villages. 2,500 (2002 J. Miller). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Itoto, Jojod, Mako, Wotuja Dialects: Classification: Sálivan, Piaroa-Maco
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Macushi
[mbc] East border area. 600 in Venezuela. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Makushi, Makusi, Makuxi, Teweya Dialects: Classification: Cariban, North Amazonian, Pemón, Pemón proper
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Mandahuaca
[mht] Colombia border, extreme southwest, Amazonas, east of Baré [bae] language area on Baria river and Casiquiare canal. 3,000 (1975 G. Indigenista). The size of the ethnic group is not clear since the usually cited number of 3,000 (1975 G. Indigenista) probably includes Baré [bae], Baniva [bwi] and Mandahuaca (Crevels 2007). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Arihini, Cunipusana, Ihini, Maldavaca, Mandauaca, Mandawaka, Mitua, Yavita Dialects: Related to Yabarana [yar]. Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Western Nawiki, Warekena ’Baré’ is a cover term for separate languages: Baré [bae], Mandahuaca, Guarekena [gae], Baniwa [bwi], Piapoco [pio]. Sometimes considered a dialect of Baré [bae].
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Mapoyo
[mcg] Southwest Bolivar State, on the savanna between Caño Caripo north and Villacoa river south, near Caicara del Orinoco road to Puerto Ayacucho, Palomo community, 60 km south of La Urbana. 12 (2001 census), decreasing. A few semi-speakers left (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: Fewer than 200 (Crevels 2007). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Mapayo, Mapoye, Mopoi, Nepoye, Wanai Dialects: Similar to Yabarana [yar]. Classification: Cariban, Central, Mapoyo-Yavarana
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Maquiritari
[mch] Bolivar and Amazonas states, Brazilian border area on mid-Paragua, Caura, Erebato, upper Ventuari, upper Auaris, Matacuni, Cuntinamo, Padamo, and Cunucunuma rivers. Also in Brazil. 5,520 in Venezuela (2001 census). Population total all countries: 5,950. Ethnic population: 6,520. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Cunuana, De’cuana, Maiongong, Maquiritai, Maquiritare, Pawana, Soto, Ye’cuana, Yekuana Dialects: Classification: Cariban, Central, Makiritare
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Nengatu
[yrl] Amazonas State, Brazil border area, Río Negro area, lower Guainía in San Pedro and Bultón. 760 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 1,290. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Geral, Modern Tupi, Waengatu, Yeral Dialects: Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Tupí, Tupí
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Ninam
[shb] Bolivar State, Karun and Paragua rivers. 100 in Venezuela. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Shiriana, Yanam Dialects: Northern Ninam, Southern Ninam. Classification: Yanomaman
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Paraujano
[pbg] Zulia State, Lake Maracaibo, near Guajiro. 20 (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 17,400 (Crevels 2007). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Añú, Anun, Parahujano Dialects: Alile, Toa. Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Maritime, Ta-Maipurean
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Patamona
[pbc] Guyana and Brazil east border area. Ethnic population: 200 (Crevels 2007). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Dialects: Classification: Cariban, North Amazonian, Pemón, Pemón proper, Kapong
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Pemon
[aoc] Bolivar State, Gran Sabana and adjacent areas. Also in Brazil, Guyana. 5,000 in Venezuela (2001 V. Becsky). Population total all countries: 6,010. Ethnic population: 22,300. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Pemong Dialects: Arecuna (Arekuna, Aricuna, Daigok, Jaricuna, Kamaragakok, Pemon, Pishauco, Potsawugok, Purucoto), Camaracoto, Taurepan (Taulipang). Marginally intelligible with Akawaio [ake] and Patamona [pbc]. Camaracoto dialect may be a distinct language. Classification: Cariban, North Amazonian, Pemón, Pemón proper
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Pémono
[pev] Upper Majagua village, with Yabarana [yar] languae speakers. No remaining speakers. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Dialects: Similar to Mapoyo [mcg] and Yabarana [yar]. Classification: Cariban, Central, Mapoyo-Yavarana Different from Pemón [aoc] of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. Unknown until 1998.
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Piapoco
[pio] San Fernando de Atapapo area, Amazonas along the Orinoco. South of Vichada department. 1,450 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 1,940 (2001 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Amarizado, Dzaze, Enegua, Kuipaco, Piapoko Dejá, Wenéwika, Yapoco Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Western Nawiki, Piapoco
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Piaroa
[pid] Amazonas, Orinoco river south bank, inland from Paguasa river to Manapiari. Also in Colombia. 14,500 in Venezuela (2001 census). 2,200 urban; 12,300 rural. Population total all countries: 14,580. Ethnic population: 14,500. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Dearwa, Deruwa, Uhothha, Uwotjüja, Wo’tiheh Dialects: Classification: Sálivan, Piaroa-Maco
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Playero
[gob] Apure State, western zone, to north of Arauca river and Colombian Pepojivi settlements. 200 in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 200 (Crevels 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Guahibo Playero, Pepojivi Dialects: Classification: Guajiboan, Guajibo
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Puinave
[pui] Amazonas State, lower Guaviare and Inírida river basins down to San Fernando de Atabapo region. 880 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 1,310. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Puinare, Wanse Dialects: Classification: Puinavean
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Pumé
[yae] Amazonas and Apure states, Orinoco, Sinaruco, Meta, and Apure rivers. 7,900 (2001 census). 590 urban, 7,310 rural. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Llaruro, Yaruro, Yaruru, Yuapín Dialects: Classification: Unclassified
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Sáliba
[slc] Cedoño department. 250 in Venezuela (1991 W. Adelaar). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Sáliva Dialects: Classification: Sálivan Very acculturated in Venezuela.
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Sanumá
[xsu] Amazonas and Bolivar states, along Caura, Erebato, and Ventuari rivers; along Upper Auaris west to upper Padamo river area. Also in Brazil. 4,610 in Venezuela (2000). 500 Sanumá in Venezuela. Population total all countries: 5,070. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chirichano, Guaika, Samatali, Samatari, Sanema, Sanima, Tsanuma, Xamatari Dialects: Cobari (Cobariwa, Kobali), Yanoma (Kohoroxitari). Classification: Yanomaman
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Sapé
[spc] Bolivar State, 3 small settlements on the Paragua and Karuna rivers. 5 (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 28 (1992). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Caliana, Chirichano, Kaliána, Kariana Dialects: Some lexical correspondences with Warao [wba]. Greenberg classified it provisionally as Macro-Tucanoan. Classification: Language isolate
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Spanish
[spa] 26,000,000 in Venezuela (2011). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 9). Alternate Names: Dialects: Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
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Tamanaku
[tmz] Near Mapoyo and Yawarana. No remaining speakers. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Dialects: Similar to Eñepa [pbh]. Classification: Cariban, Central, Mapoyo-Yavarana
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Tunebo, Central
[tuf] Extreme west Apure State, Paéz district, Urdaneta municipality, south of San Cristobal, on the Arauca river, near Colombian border, east of Guahibo [guh] language area. No known L1 speakers in Venezuela. Possibly extinct in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Dialects: Classification: Chibchan, Chibchan B, Eastern Chibchan, Colombian, Southern Colombian, Cundicocuyese
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Venezuelan Sign Language
[vsl] Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Lengua de Señas Venezolana Dialects: Sign language used in school is different from that used by adults outside. Classification: Deaf sign language Manual alphabet for spelling.
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Warao
[wba] Orinoco river delta, Delta Amacuro, Sucre, and Monagas. Also in Guyana, Suriname. 28,100 in Venezuela (2007). Ethnic population: 36,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Guarao, Guarauno, Warrau Dialects: Classification: Language isolate
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Wayuu
[guc] Zulia State, Guajira peninsula. 199,000 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 294,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Goajiro, Guajira, Guajiro Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Maritime, Ta-Maipurean
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Yabarana
[yar] Amazonas, Manapiare river basin, above San Juan de Manapiare. 20 (1977 E. Migliazza). Ethnic population: 320 (Crevels 2007). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Yauarana, Yawarana Dialects: Curasicana (Orechicano), Wokiare (Guaiquiare, Guayqueri, Uaiquiare). Similar to Mapoyo [mcg] and Pémono [pev]. Classification: Cariban, Central, Mapoyo-Yavarana Distinct from Yabaana [ybn] of Brazil.
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Yanomamö
[guu] Orinoco-Mavaca area. Eastern dialect: Parima mountains, east of Batau river; Western dialect: Padamo river basin, Ocamo, Manaviche, and upper Orinoco rivers, and south of Orinoco river Marania and Cauaburi rivers’ headwaters, large villages in Siapa river area south. Also in Brazil. 15,700 in Venezuela (2000). Population total all countries: 19,700. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Cobari Kobali, Cobariwa, Guaharibo, Guaica, Guajaribo, Shamatari, Yanomame, Yanomami Dialects: Eastern Yanomami (Parima), Western Yanomami (Padamo-Orinoco). Related to Yanomámi [wca] (Waiká) of Brazil. Cobari dialect is easily intelligible of the others. Classification: Yanomaman
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Yavitero
[yvt] Amazonas State, Yavita region. 1 (Crevels 2007). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Paraene Dialects: Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Upper Amazon, Central Upper Amazon, Yavitero
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Yukpa
[yup] Zulia State, Cesar region, north Sierra de Perijá, on the Colombia border, between Palmar river north and Tucuco river south. 3,040 in Venezuela (2007). 2,220 urban; 800 rural. Ethnic population: 10,000 (2001 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Macoíta, Manso, Northern Motilón, Yucpa, Yuko, Yupa Dialects: Atapshi (Yukpa norte), Irapa (Yukpa sur), Iroka, Macoíta, Pariri (Yukpa central), Wasama, Yikta. Classification: Cariban, Yukpa, Yucpa-Yapreria Most live in urban areas.
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Yuwana
[yau] Central. A northern group is in Bolivar division on Kaima river, a Cuchivero river tributary; an isolated southern group in Amazonas on the Iguana, an Asita river tributary, and on the Parucito, a Manapiare river tributary. 640 (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 640 (Crevels 2007). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chicano, Chikano, Hoti, Jodi, Joti, Waruwaru, Yoana, Yuana Dialects: Linguistic similarities to Yanomamö [guu] and Piaroa [pid] (Salivan). Classification: Language isolate
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