Arhuaco

ARH

developing

Alternate Names: Aruaco, Bintucua, Bintuk, Bíntukua, Ica, Ijca, Ijka, Ika, Ikan, Ike

Genealogy:

Chibchan
Chibchan B
Eastern Chibchan
Colombian
Northern Colombian
Arhuacan
Southern and Eastern Arhuacan

Demographics: 8,000 (2009 P. Frank). 7,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 14,300.

Language Use: All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Men speak more Spanish [spa] than women, school-age young people speak more Spanish than adults, especially in written form.

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Children are developing literacy in Arhuaco at school. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2005.

Typology: SOV.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Colombia

Other Comments: Ethnic autonym: Ika. Strong traditional culture. Traditional religion.