Chayahuita language

Chayahuita
Cahuapana
Shawi
Native toPeru
Ethnicity21,400 (2011)
Native speakers
14,000 (2011)[1]
Cahuapanan
  • Chayahuita
Language codes
ISO 639-3cbt
Glottologchay1248
ELPChayahuita

Chayahuita is an endangered Amazonian language spoken by thousands of native Chayahuita people in the Amazon basin of north-central Peru. Spoken along the banks of the Paranapura, Cahuapanas, Sillay, and Shanusi rivers, it is also known as Chayawita, Shawi, Chawi, Tshaahui, Chayhuita, Chayabita, Shayabit, Balsapuertino, Paranapura, and Cahuapa. There is a 1–5% literacy rate, compared with 5–15% for Spanish, and a dictionary since 1978. It can not be understood by Jebero speakers although there is some overlap in vocabulary, especially some Quechua terms.

  1. ^ "Shawi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2018-07-23.