Dialects: Matawari (Matawai, Matoewari, Matuari). Possibly Portuguese , based rather than English , (Hancock 1988). Linguistic influences from Koongo , (Hancock 1988). Lexical similarity: 20% with African component.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 23,000 in Suriname (1995 SIL). 1,000 Matawari. Population total all countries: 26,000.
Language Use: All domains. All ages. Also use Dutch [nld]. Used as L2 by Kwinti [kww].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Saramaccan is being used for religious instruction in Moravian schools along the Suriname River. Poetry. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1991–2009.
Typology: Tonal, one tone per vowel.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Suriname
Other Comments: A Bush Negro ethnic group with background similar to the Ndyuka. Traditional religion.