Languages of hunter-gatherers and their neighbors

Cuiva

Family
Guahiban
Region
South America
ISO 639-3
cui
Location
6.20°, -69.82°
Notes
Features
Basic Vocabulary
Flora Fauna Vocabulary
Cultural Vocabulary
Data Sources
Huber, R. and Reed, R. 1992. Comparative vocabulary: selected words in indigenous languages of Colombia. ILV, Bogotá. Kondo, R. 1983. La classificación de mamiferos y reptiles por los indigenas Guahibo, Cuiba, Piapoco, y Yucuna. In L. Criswell (ed.), Articulos en Linguistica y Campos Afinas 12. Bogota: SIL. Rodriguez, José Vicente, compiler, and others. 1995. Mamíferos colombianos: sus nombres comunes e indígenas. Bogotá: Conservation International, Fundación Mario Santo Domingo. Queixalós, Francisco. 1993. Lenguas y dialectos de la familia lingüística guahibo. In María Luisa Rodríguez de Montes (ed.), Estado Actual de la Clasificación de las Lenguas Indígenas de Colombia, 189-217. Santafé de Bogotá: ICC: Santafé de Bogotá: Instituto de Caro y Cuervo.


Basic Vocabulary (191)
English Spanish Portuguese Semantic Field Part of Speech Orthographic Form Phonemicized Form Gloss as in Source Etymology Code Proto-Form Proto-Language Loan Source Wanderwort Status Etyma Set Etymology Notes General Notes Source
above encima, arriba acima location See Language page
and y e grammar See Language page
ash ceniza(s) cinzas environment ipúna ceniza, ash Huber & Reed 1992:57
at en, a em, a location -tʰa en, lugar definido, at Huber & Reed 1992:322
back espalda costas body pé-ɨma, pehúma espalda, back Huber & Reed 1992:17
bad mal mal quality á-be malo, bad Huber & Reed 1992:225
belly barriga barriga body pe-kotéri barriga, belly Huber & Reed 1992:272
below abajo, debajo abaixo location See Language page
big grande grande quality pín-jo, pín-wa grande, big Huber & Reed 1992:220
black negro preto colour tsáebia negro, black Huber & Reed 1992:227
blood sangre sangue body pe-hána sangre, blood Huber & Reed 1992:33
boil/pimple espinilla, granos espinha, borbulha body See Language page
bone hueso osso body píwa hueso, bone Huber & Reed 1992:32
breast pecho, seno peito body pe-mí-to teta, seno, pecho, woman's breasts Huber & Reed 1992:15
child niño, niña criança human pe-xúj-o niño, child Huber & Reed 1992:327
cloud nube nuvem environment See Language page
cold frío frio quality á-ke frío, cold Huber & Reed 1992:222
correct/true verdad, de veras verdade quality béta, xáinjei correcto, correct Huber & Reed 1992:344
day día dia time mátakabi día, day = matakéita Huber & Reed 1992:67
dirty sucio sujo quality tsórei, axuíra sucio, dirty Huber & Reed 1992:340
dingo/wolf fauna See Language page
dry seco seco quality tséwa seco, dry Huber & Reed 1992:300
dull/blunt sin filo, mocho, desafilado, embotado, romo maçante, desamolado, não afiado quality a-wánó-bi embotado, dull Huber & Reed 1992:338
dust polvo poeira environment íra múrei, átsa- béno polvo, dust Huber & Reed 1992:372
ear oreja orelha body pe-muxu-joró-to oreja, ear Huber & Reed 1992:7
earth/soil tierra terra environment íra tierra, earth Huber & Reed 1992:72
egg huevo ovo fauna pe-tóu-to huevo, egg Huber & Reed 1992:268
eye ojo olho body See Language page
far lejos longe quality táhɨ lejos, far Huber & Reed 1992:332
fat/grease grasa gordura body pe-nasí-wa grasa, grease, animal fat Huber & Reed 1992:267
father padre, papá pai kinship áxa padre, father Huber & Reed 1992:44
feather pluma pena fauna pe-axú-to pluma, feather Huber & Reed 1992:270
fire fuego fogo environment See Language page
flower flor flor environment pe-ntón-to flor, flower Huber & Reed 1992:155
fog niebla, neblina nevoeira, bruma, neblina environment nóbo neblina, fog Huber & Reed 1992:309
fruit fruta fruta flora pe-tʰéi-to, pe-kuéi-to fruta, fruit Huber & Reed 1992:156
good bueno bom quality See Language page
hair (of head) cabello cabelo body pe-nta-ná cabello (pelo de cabeza), hair (head hair) Huber & Reed 1992:10
hand mano mão body pé-kobe, pe-kóbe mano, hand Huber & Reed 1992:22
3sg el/ella ele/ela grammar 1. ba-pó-n, ba-ra-pó-n, po-n [he], 2. pó-wa, ba-pó-wa, ba-ra-po-wa [she] 1. él, he, 2. ella, she 1. Huber & Reed 1992:202, 2. Huber & Reed 1992:203
head cabeza cabeça body pe-nta-sípa cabeza, head Huber & Reed 1992:8
heavy pesado pesado quality a-réwe pesado, heavy Huber & Reed 1992:337
how? como como grammar éta bíʧi como, how Huber & Reed 1992:302
1sg yo eu grammar xan yo, I For pronouns: include bound/cliticized pronominal forms where significantly different from the free forms Huber & Reed 1992:200
if si se grammar íʧa si, if Huber & Reed 1992:323
in/inside dentro, adentro dentro location -tʰá en, in Huber & Reed 1992:321
intestines intestinos intestinos body p-ínɨ intestinos, tripas, intestines Huber & Reed 1992:245
lake lago lago environment púkua lago, lake Huber & Reed 1992:51
leaf hoja folha environment noxú-to, pe-toáxu hoja, leaf pe-toáxu - 'pluma' ('feather') Huber & Reed 1992:153
left/left hand izquierdo esquerdo location/body pe-tsokóna izquierdo, left Huber & Reed 1992:345
leg/foot pierna perna body pe-tópa pierna, leg Huber & Reed 1992:25
lightning rayo, relámpago relampago environment jámɨxɨ relámpago, lightning Huber & Reed 1992:70
liver hígado figado body pe-hápa-to hígado, liver Huber & Reed 1992:273
long largo comprido, longo quality a-píja, apía largo, long Huber & Reed 1992:263
louse piollo, piojo piolho fauna tárɨ order Phtiraptera See Language page
man/male hombre homem human pébi-n hombre, man Huber & Reed 1992:38
meat/flesh carne carne fauna pe-wí-to carne, flesh Huber & Reed 1992:265
moon luna lua environment homo-kóitʃa-to luna, moon Huber & Reed 1992:65
mother madre, mamá mãe kinship éna madre, mother Huber & Reed 1992:45
mouth boca boca body pe-koibó-to boca, mouth Huber & Reed 1992:2
name nombre nome human pé-wɨn nombre, name Huber & Reed 1992:301
near/close cerca de perto quality imoxójo cerca, near Huber & Reed 1992:333
nape base del cuello, nuca nuca body See Language page
neck cuello pescoço body pe-usí-to, pe-wisí-to cuello, neck Huber & Reed 1992:13
new nuevo novo quality pe-ná-wa nuevo, new Huber & Reed 1992:298
night noche noite time médawi, médiwi noche, night Huber & Reed 1992:68
no/not no não grammar bára, húme no (Spanish), not Huber & Reed 1992:260
nose nariz nariz body pe-poxón-to nariz, nose Huber & Reed 1992:5
old viejo velho quality See Language page
one uno um number káe, káe-wa uno, one Huber & Reed 1992:181
other otro outro grammar iʧá-wa otro, other Huber & Reed 1992:307
pain/painful/sick dolor, doloroso, enfermo dor, doloroso, doente body See Language page
person/human being persona pessoa human See Language page
rain lluvia chuva environment éma lluvia, rain Huber & Reed 1992:62
red rojo vermelho colour tsóbia rojo, red Huber & Reed 1992:294
right/right hand derecha direita location/body See Language page
road/path camino caminho manufacture námto, náunto camino, sendero, trocha, path, trail Huber & Reed 1992:85
root raíz raiz flora See Language page
rotten podrido podre quality tsábana podrido, rotten Huber & Reed 1992:341
sand arena areia environment See Language page
sharp afilado, filudo, filoso afiado quality xíjoi, xuíjoi afilado, sharp Huber & Reed 1992:339
short corto curto quality imoxoi-ʧéka corto, short Huber & Reed 1992:336
shoulder hombro ombro body pe-utukúra hombro, shoulder Huber & Reed 1992:18
shy/ashamed tímido, vergonzoso timido, com vergonha mental See Language page
skin piel pele body See Language page
sky cielo céu environment pe-ita-bóko(-to), pitabóko cielo, sky Huber & Reed 1992:61
small pequeño pequeno quality See Language page
smoke humo fumaça environment múrei, íʃo tsɨ́xɨ humo, smoke Huber & Reed 1992:59
star estrella estrela environment opitéi-to estrella, star Huber & Reed 1992:66
stick/wood palo pau, vara flora náe-to palo, stick Huber & Reed 1992:160
stone piedra pedra environment ibó-to piedra, stone Huber & Reed 1992:73
tail cola, rabo rabo body See Language page
that ese/esa esse grammar bá-ra-xua, dá-xua aquel, that Huber & Reed 1992:257
3pl ellos/ellas eles/elas grammar ba-ra-po-mónae, ba-po-mónac y po-monae ellos, they Huber & Reed 1992:207
thick grueso, gordo, espeso grosso quality pín-wa, á-itijɨ grueso, thick Huber & Reed 1992:334
thin delgado fino quality hiopéka, natséna delgado, thin Huber & Reed 1992:335
this este/esta este grammar mé-he, xuá-he este, this Huber & Reed 1992:256
2sg xx xx grammar xam usted, you (singular) Huber & Reed 1992:201
throat garganta garganta body See Language page
three tres tres number akóibi tres, three Huber & Reed 1992:183
thunder truenos trovão environment jámɨxɨ (busi), huruhúrei trueno, thunder Huber & Reed 1992:69
bite morder morder body síne morder, bite Huber & Reed 1992:276
blow soplar soprar body opʰúba soplar, blow Huber & Reed 1992:365
breathe respirar respirar body See Language page
burn quemar queimar environment táuta, táxua arder, burn Huber & Reed 1992:292
chew masticar, mascar mastigar body See Language page
climb subir subir motion See Language page
come venir vir motion páta, wé-rena venir, come Huber & Reed 1992:286
cook cocinar cozinhar impact See Language page
count contar contar mental See Language page
cry llorar chorar mental See Language page
cut/hack cortar cortar impact tʰába cortar, cut Huber & Reed 1992:329
die/be dead morir morrer state tɨ́pa morir, die Huber & Reed 1992:281
dig cavar cavar impact kuá cavar, dig Huber & Reed 1992:355
dream soñar sonhar mental See Language page
drink beber, tomar beber body ápa beber, drink Huber & Reed 1992:274
eat comer comer body xáne comer, eat Huber & Reed 1992:275
fall caer cair motion hópa, óthopa caer, fall plural - hopéika, de arriba (from above) Huber & Reed 1992:358
fear miedo medo mental kunúwa, hunúwa temer, fear kunúwa 'tener miedo de algo o alguien' - 'be afraid of something or someone Huber & Reed 1992:366
flow fluir fluir motion méne píʧipa fluir, flow Huber & Reed 1992:310
fly volar voar motion pupúna volar, fly Huber & Reed 1992:284
grow crecer crescer state See Language page
hear oír ouvir mental hume-táne oír, hear Huber & Reed 1992:278
hide esconder esconder motion See Language page
hit golpear, pegar bater impact ba, matabóba golpear, hit Huber & Reed 1992:352
hold correr, asegurar, sostener segurar other bóta, bábata sostener, hold Huber & Reed 1992:368
kill matar matar impact bexúba matar, kill Huber & Reed 1992:282
know/be knowledgeable saber, conecer saber, conhecer mental ja-pu-táne saber, know Huber & Reed 1992:279
laugh reír rir mental See Language page
lie down acostarse, echarse deitar motion bobéna, bóka acostarse, lie down Huber & Reed 1992:287
live/be alive vivir viver, morar body See Language page
open/uncover abrir abrir other See Language page
pound/beat machacar, golpear bater impact See Language page
say decir dizer mental humíʧi, páeba, namchi, kueikuéihei decir, say Huber & Reed 1992:291
scratch rascar rasgar impact See Language page
see ver ver mental táne, nekóta ver, see Huber & Reed 1992:277
shoot tirar, disparar, balear atirar impact See Language page
sit sentar(se) sentar state éka sentarse, sentado, sit Huber & Reed 1992:288
sleep dormir dormir body See Language page
sniff/smell olfatear, oler cheirar body tuxúba oler, smell primarily transitive Huber & Reed 1992:362
spit escupir cuspir body See Language page
split partir, dividir rachar, dividir, partir impact ukubóba, topʰohába hender, split Huber & Reed 1992:353
squeeze estrujar, exprimir espremer impact júka apretar, exprimir, tighten, squeeze Huber & Reed 1992:367
stab/pierce apuñalar, acuchillar apunhalar impact hórana, xɨxɨ́na punzar, pierce Huber & Reed 1992:354
stand estar de pié ficar em pé state únkua ponerse en pie, de pie, stand Huber & Reed 1992:289
steal robar roubar other See Language page
suck chupar chupar body tsutsúba chupar, suck Huber & Reed 1992:364
swell hincharse inchar body putsúna, (putúna) hinchar, swell Huber & Reed 1992:359
swim nadar nadar motion xuéiba, xuá nadar, swim Huber & Reed 1992:283
think pensar pensar mental nántana xeína (nanta xeina) pensar, think Huber & Reed 1992:360
throw tirar, lanzar atirar, jogar impact xúba, bébai botar, tirar, throw Huber & Reed 1992:351
tie up/fasten atar, amarrar amarrar impact See Language page
turn girar, volter, torcer virar other may be transitive or intransitive See Language page
vomit vomitar vomitar body nakába vomitar, vomit 'vomitar (comida) - 'vomit food', jakába 'vomitar líquido' - 'vomit liquid' Huber & Reed 1992:363
walk caminar, andar andar motion póna andar, walk Huber & Reed 1992:285
work trabajar trabalhar other See Language page
yawn bostezar bocejar body See Language page
tongue lengua lingua body See Language page
tooth diente dente body pe-wáno diente, tooth Huber & Reed 1992:4
two dos dois number See Language page
water agua agua environment méra agua, water Huber & Reed 1992:48
1pl.incl nosotros (inclusivo) nós (inclusivo) grammar wa-xáin-tʃi, wa-xán nosotros, we no inclusive/exclusive distinction unless noted Huber & Reed 1992:205
1pl.excl nosotros (exclusivo) nós (exclusivo) grammar pakhan(ɨ) [Queix1993] See Language page
wet mojado molhado quality See Language page
what? que, qué que grammar See Language page
when? cuando quando grammar é-ta poxónae cuando, when int., poxonae Huber & Reed 1992:303
where? donde onde grammar é-ta xóta, e-xóta donde, where int., iʧaxota Huber & Reed 1992:304
white blanco branco colour See Language page
who? quien, quién quem grammar híntam quién, who Huber & Reed 1992:258
wife esposa esposa kinship pío-wa, pi-séuri esposa, wife Huber & Reed 1992:43
wind viento vento environment hóibo See Language page
wing ala asa body pe-kuáraϕe ala, wing Huber & Reed 1992:315
woman/female mujer mulher human petsiríwa, jabɨ́-jo mujer, woman Huber & Reed 1992:40
yellow amarillo amarelo colour dáena amarillo, yellow Huber & Reed 1992:296
2pl ustedes vocês grammar pa-xám ustedes, you (plural) Huber & Reed 1992:206
foot pie pé body pe-táxu pie, foot Huber & Reed 1992:29
again de nuevo, otra vez de novo grammar See Language page
all todo todos other daxíta todos, all Huber & Reed 1992:261
ankle tobillo tornozelo body See Language page
armpit axila, sobaco axila body See Language page
faeces heces, mierda, excremento, estiércol fezes body See Language page
lung pulmón pulmão body pe-koɸóbi pulmones, lungs Huber & Reed 1992:35
sweat sudar suor, suar body See Language page
itch hormiguear, sentir comezón coçar body See Language page
bark corteza casca environment See Language page
fingernail uña unha body pe-koibokó-to uña, fingernail Huber & Reed 1992:24
heart corazón coração body See Language page
sun sol sol time xomé-to sol, sun Huber & Reed 1992:64
mountain/hill montaña, colina, loma, cerro morro, serra environment See Language page
green verde verde quality sɨ́hei verde, green Huber & Reed 1992:295
hot caliente quente quality á-tsa, á-tou caliente, hot Huber & Reed 1992:223


Flora Fauna Vocabulary (133)
English Spanish Portuguese Semantic Field Part of Speech Linnean Name Orthographic Form Phonemicized Form Gloss as in Source Etymology Code Proto-Form Proto-Language Loan Source Etymology Notes Wanderwort Status Etyma Set Range of Term Word Structure Word Structure Notes Classifier Classifier Notes Hypernym Source Association with Social Categories Ritual/Mythologically Significant Ritual Notes Food Source Food Notes Medicinal Medicinal Notes How Collected Who Collects How Prepared Psychotropic Psychotropic Notes Traded Trade Notes Distribution Habitat Dangerous Ethnobiology Notes Species Notes General Notes
bat murciélago morcego flora-fauna Chiroptera spp. jahuatsito, jahuʉto hawatsí-to, hautsí-to murciélago/chengale Kondo 1983:113 [loan Piapoco?]
bird pajaro, ave passaro flora-fauna pe-ja-pupúnae-in (si-to) See Language page
curassow mitu, montete (Peru), paujil/panjuil (Peru), paujil de Salvin (Peru for Mitu salvini) mutum flora-fauna Crax sp., Nothocrax sp. ɨtʰɨbɨrɨ See Language page Amazonia
toucan tucán, pinsha (Peru) tucano flora-fauna Ramphastos sp. tukuékue See Language page Widespread Amazonia
gray-winged trumpeter Grulla, Trompetero Ala Gris jacamim flora-fauna Psophia crepitans See Language page Northern Amazonia (N of Solimões), not in northern Colombia; Dark-winged trumpeter is found south of Solimões
guan pava, pucacunga (Peru), pava de Spix (Peru) jacu flora-fauna Penelope sp. kujúwi See Language page Different types have different localized ranges
tinamou tinamu, perdiz, gallineta inambu, inhambu flora-fauna family Tinamidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
hummingbird colibrí, picaflor (Peru) beija-flor flora-fauna family Trochilidae sisibaɨ-to See Language page Widespread
kingfisher martín pescador, catalan (Peru) martim-pescador flora-fauna family Alcedinidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
owl (large) búho, lechuza corujão flora-fauna order Strigiformes sukuém, párato See Language page Widespread
macaw ara, guacamaya Arara flora-fauna family Psittacidae; Ara sp. máha See Language page Widespread Amazonia
parrot loro real, loro (Sp. form is a loan from Carib) papagaio flora-fauna Amazona amazonica óna See Language page Widespread
dove paloma pomba flora-fauna family Columbidae See Language page
hawk halcón, gavilán gavião flora-fauna family Accipitridae See Language page
vulture buitre, gallinazo, rinahui (Peru) urubu flora-fauna family Cathartidae kékere, wajuri See Language page Widespread South America
duck pato pato, marreco flora-fauna Anatidae family See Language page
great egret Garza Blanca, Guyratî Garça-Branca-Grande flora-fauna Ardea alba wákara (Zamponi) wákara (Zamponi) See Language page Widespread South America
woodpecker pájaro carpintero, carpintero pica-pau flora-fauna family Picidae See Language page Widespread Amazonia
dog (camp, domestic) perro cachorro flora-fauna Canis famililaris auri áudi, áuri perro doméstico Kondo 1983:114 Not native; widespread
dog (wild; bush dog) sachaperro, Perro de Monte, Zorro Vinagre, Guanfando; Zorro Ojizarco, Zorro Negro, Perro de Orejas Corta cachorro-do-mato flora-fauna Speothos venaticus; Atelocynus microtis See Language page Widespread Amazonia
anteater oso hormiguero; tapia pelejo or pelejo chico for Cyclopes didactylus tamanduá flora-fauna Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater); Cyclopes didactylus (silky anteater) nonʉ tsón oso melegro/oso hormiguero Kondo 1983:116 Widespread Amazonian lowlands
armadillo armadillo, carachupa (Peru), yangunturi (Peru for Giant armadillo) tatu flora-fauna family Dasypodidae; e.g. Priodontes maximus (Giant armadillo), Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasypus kappleri tubu túbu scientific name: Dactylus novemcinctus; in Spanish: armadillo sabanero; cachicamo Kondo 1983:117 Widespread in Amazonia
sloth pereza, pelejo (Peru), perezoso (Peru) macaco preguica flora-fauna Choloepus sp., Bradypus sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
alligator, black caiman babilla; cachirre jacaré flora-fauna Melanosuchus niger, Caiman schlerops; Paleosuchus sp. maxʉne maxɨ´ne caimán/caimán llanero Kondo 1983:121 Throughout Amazonia Port term reportedly borrowed from Tupi
electric eel anguila eléctrica poraquê flora-fauna Electrophorus electricus See Language page
fish (generic) pez peixe flora-fauna duwéi, báxu See Language page
pacu fish palometa, garopita, garopa, curhuara (Peru) pacu flora-fauna Mylossoma sp. See Language page
pirana piraña, caribe piranha flora-fauna subfamily Serrasalmidae kówarabo See Language page Widespread Amazonia
tigerfish taraira, guabina, huasaco (Peru) traíra flora-fauna Hoplias sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
mandi catfish maparate (used in Peru for some types of catfish, including Auchenipterus sp.), cunchi (used in Peru for some types of catfish), bagre (catfish) mandi flora-fauna Auchenipterus sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
speckled catfish surubí, pintadillo surubim, sorubim flora-fauna Pseudoplatystoma sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia
toad sapo sapo flora-fauna order Anura búsu See Language page
iguana iguana, garipiares (Colombia) camaleão flora-fauna Iguana sp. matsíwi See Language page iguana' is reportedly from Arawak iwana
small lizard lagartija calango flora-fauna order Squamata 1. bocobʉ; 2. yohua 1. (varios) lagartijos 2. scientific name: Uranosodon superciliosa, in Spanish: lagarto de agua 1 & 2. Kondo 1983:122
stingray (generic) rayas látigo, raya arraia flora-fauna Potamotrygon sp. See Language page
crab cangrejo caranguejo flora-fauna infraorder Brachyura See Language page
anaconda anaconda, boa, boa acuática grande sucuri flora-fauna genus Eunectes homowábi See Language page Widespread Amazonia
boa boa; mantona (red-tailed boa); boa de altura jiboia flora-fauna family Boidae, subf. Boinae yorohua homowábi boa/macabrel/etc. Kondo 1983:124
snake (generic) culebra, serpiente cobra flora-fauna hómo See Language page
snake (poisonous generic) or rattlesnake víbora (Peru), jergón (Peru), yarara jararaca flora-fauna Bothrops jararaca/atrox jomo jasíto culebra venenosa (en general) Kondo 1983:123 Widespread South America
tortoise (red foot, yellow foot/giant) tortuga, morrocoy, motelo jabutí, tartaruga flora-fauna Yellow-footed: Geochelone denticulata; Red-footed: Geochelone carbonaria jayaca hájaka Geochelone spp., morrocoy Kondo 1983:120 Widespread
Amazon dolphin bufeo, delfín, tonina (del Orinoco) boto cor-de-rosa flora-fauna Inia geoffrensis pánabʉ tonina Kondo 1983:119 Downstream of major rapids and waterfalls
mushroom champiñón, hongo cogumelo flora-fauna (any edible generic) See Language page prioritize generic term that includes any edible species
black palm bacaba, mapora, pusui, patabá bacaba flora-fauna Oenocarpus bacaba See Language page Mature forests of Rio Negro and Upper Amazon may be confused in some entries with O. bataua
açai palm huasí (Peru), asahi, manaca (Ven), asaí, palmiche (Colombia) açaí flora-fauna Euterpe sp. See Language page floodplains, swamp; esp. northern Amazonia
miriti palm moriche (Col, Ven), aguaje (Col, Peru), achual, miriti buriti flora-fauna Mauritia flexuosa See Language page Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela; in and near swamps trunks contain sago-like starch
palm for roof thatch pui, irapay, hoja de irapay, caraná caraná flora-fauna Mauritiella armata OR Lepidocaryum tenue (irapay), Mauritius carana See Language page Mauritia carana is limited principally to the Rio Negro and Upper Orinoco regions; dry catinga forests palm
paxiuba palm pona, huacrapona, cashapona, macanilla, pachiuba paxiuba flora-fauna Iriartea exorrhiza OR Iriartea deltoidea See Language page Widespread Amazonia palm
peach palm, pejibaye palm chontaduro (Col, Ecuador); pipire (Col); pijuayo (Peru), pijiguao (Ven); tembe (Bol) pupunha flora-fauna Bactris gasipaes miʃi-bot miʃi-bot See Language page
seje palm ungurahui (Peru), palma de seje, milpesos, patabá patoá, patuá flora-fauna Jessenia bataua, aka Oenocarpus bataua See Language page mostly north of Equator; common in Amazonia may be confused with O. bacaba - compare entries
coca coca coca flora-fauna Erythroxylum coca See Language page secondary scrub vegetation. lower alt. of eastern Andes plant
cotton algodón algodão flora-fauna Gossypium (barbadense: long fibers; hirsutum: short fibers) papóu-to, papúnae See Language page secondary scrub vegetation plant; some sources may confound with kapok Ceiba pentandra (esp. if a single gloss for 'cotton' is given')
kapok ceiba, huimba, lupuna (Peru for Ceiba sp.) sumaumeira flora-fauna Ceiba pentandra See Language page northern South America and central America; common in disturbed areas tree
hot pepper ají, pimentón/pimiento rojo, pucunucho (Peru), charapilla (Peru) pimenta flora-fauna Capsicum sp., principally chinensis and frutescens nónei See Language page secondary scrub vegetation, indigenous garden plant
peanut maní (may be loan from Taino Arawak), cacahuete amendoim flora-fauna Arachis hypogaea See Language page plant
pineapple piña abacaxi flora-fauna Ananas comosus See Language page plant
arrow cane, wildcane caña flecha, caña brava, caña isana cana para flechas, frecheira, Cana-do-rio flora-fauna Gynerium sagittatum musoi-bó-to See Language page tropical regions, especially river banks plant
banana, plantain banano, banana, cambur, bellaco, variedad de plátano banana flora-fauna Musa sp. baratsúna See Language page Names for banana/plantain may be derived from bastard plantain by semantic shift.
beans frijoles, frejol, caraotas (negras, rojas, blancas) feijão flora-fauna Phaseolus spp. See Language page plant
grass hierba, pasto capim, grama flora-fauna (generic) naepanáe-wa See Language page
maize, corn mazorca, maiz milho flora-fauna Zea mays hétsa See Language page widespread, esp. in river floodplains plant
tobacco tabaco tabaco flora-fauna Nicotiana tabacum tséma See Language page plant
tree árbol arvore flora-fauna náe, náewa See Language page
achiote, anatto achiote urucum flora-fauna Bixa orellana hótsi, kajári See Language page secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens shrub
inga guaba, guamo, guama, shimbillo (Peru) inga flora-fauna Inga spp. See Language page Secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens. North and South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Suriname, Colombia)
avocado palta, aguacate abacate flora-fauna Persea americana See Language page secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens tree
bitterwood tortuga caspi, pretina (Peru for tree and tumpline); carahuasca (Peru) envira flora-fauna Duguetia sp. OR Fusaea longifolia OR Guatteria chrysopetala See Language page secondary forests, native to Brazil tree
brazil nut castaña castanha do para (B. excelsa); castanha de cutia (C. edulis) flora-fauna Bertholletia excelsa [cf. Couepia edulis 'castanha do cutia'] See Language page 1) Couepia: restricted area within Brazil, Rio Purus basin and middle Solimões. 2) Bertholletia: elev: consistently about 200m; mature forests. Widely distributed from Peru, E. Colombia, Brazil to Nicaragua. tree
cashew anarcado, castaña de cajú, nuez de la India, marañon, cajú, merey (Venezuela) caju flora-fauna Anacardium occidentale / giganteum See Language page secondary scrub vegetation and indigenous gardens tree; most sources will not distinguish between occidentale and other varieties
genipap jagua, majagua - Colombia, caruto, xagua - Venezuela, bigrande - Bolivia, huito, yaguayagua - Peru, ygualti - Nicaragua, maluco - Mexico genipapo, jenipapo flora-fauna Genipapa americana See Language page widespread lowland SA shrub
japurá oreja de murcielago japurá flora-fauna Erisma japura See Language page large tree
rubber tree (sorva) caucho, siringa, shiringa seringa, borracha flora-fauna Hevea sp. See Language page Widespread Amazonia tree
ucuqui yugo, caimitillo del monte (Peru) ucuqui flora-fauna Pouteria ucuqui See Language page native to NW Amazonia, found primarily in Vaupes and Caqueta regions other species of Pouteria exist and have much-used edible fruit; these can be subsituted where relevant
Amazon tree-grape uva de monte, uvilla (Peru), puruma, caime, caimarona (and variants; Col.) cucura flora-fauna Pourouma cecropiifolia See Language page grows wild in Western Amazon basin; cultivated in Colombia since pre-Colombian times a tree; not a true grape
manioc (bitter or generic) yuca brava mandioca flora-fauna Manihot esculenta néwɨ See Language page not generally cultivated in western (subAndean) Amazon. Arroyo-Kalin (2010) argues for a correlation with distribution of dark earths, mostly formed after 1AD, and the modeled-incised pottery tradition. Provides more starch and is more pest-resistant than the sweet variety, but requires much processing. Arroyo-Kalin (2010) proposes that bitter type was developed from sweet through post-ceremic agricultural intensification (motivated by high starch yield
manioc (sweet) yuca, caribe macaxeira flora-fauna Manihot esculenta báwa See Language page Primary staple in western/subAndean Amazonia, less important elsewhere No processing required, but lower starch yield and pest resistance than bitter variety
potato papa batata flora-fauna Solanum tuberosum See Language page secondary scrub vegetation compare entries for sweet potato
potato, sweet potato camote, batata dulce, batata, cumara batata-doce flora-fauna Ipomoea batatas dáɨthɨ (CM72) dɨ´tʰɨ See Language page plant
cará tuber, purple or white camote, sachapapa cará roxo, branco flora-fauna Dioscorea sp. See Language page secondary scrub vegetation; forest clearings plant
tannia, yautia huitina (Peru), ñame taioba branca flora-fauna Xanthosoma spp. no, nó-bɨ See Language page
bottle-gourd (vine) or calabash (tree) calabazo, calabaza; auyama (Dominican Republic and Venezuela), ayote (parts of Central America), zapallo (parts of South America), tutumo/totumo/totuma (Cresc tree), huingo (Peru for Crescentia cujete), tapara cabaça flora-fauna Crescentia cujete (round variety - tree); (Cucurbita) Lagenaria siceraria (bottle variety - vine) dére-bɨ, tsóropa ('gourd', H&R) See Language page indigenous gardens plant; tree
squash calabaza, calabacines, auyamas, zapallos, huingo (Peru) abóbora flora-fauna Cucurbita sp. See Language page plant
cipó vine tamishi, bejuco, yare cipó flora-fauna Heteropsis spp. See Language page secondary forest, floodplain vine
fish poison, barbasco barbasco, matapez (Colombia) timbó flora-fauna Lonchocarpus spp. See Language page secondary forests and secondary srcrub vegetation shrub/tree
hallucinogenic vine, banisterium, ayahuasca ayahuasca, yage ayahuasca, caapi flora-fauna Banisteriopsis caapi xuípa See Language page semi-domesticated, native to Amazonian basin, esp. NW vine
hallucinogenic snuff vilca, cebil, yopo paricá, yopo flora-fauna Anadenanthera sp. or virola See Language page
insect (generic) insecto insecto flora-fauna generic See Language page
ant (generic) hormiga formiga flora-fauna Formicidae pɨwɨ, nébɨ, jáiwato (+ íni, tobínto) (accent on first 'ɨ' in 'pɨwɨ') See Language page
bullet ant, lesser giant hunter ant conga, hormiga yanabe (Colombia), isula (Peru), Hormiga Veinticuatro tocandira flora-fauna Paraponera clavata See Language page
leaf-cutter ant Colombia: zampopo, hormiga arriera; Venezuela: bachaco; Peru: curuhuinse saúva flora-fauna Atta sp. See Language page
honeybee abeja abelha flora-fauna Apis mellifera; Tetragonisca angustula; Trigona amazonensis ban-to-mán-to See Language page
cockroach cucaracha barata-do-mato flora-fauna order Blattaria See Language page
firefly, lightning bug lampírido, luciérnaga (Peru), añañahui (Peru), cocuyo (attributed Taino origin) vagalume flora-fauna fam: Elateridae, Fengodidae, Lampyridae See Language page
butterfly, moth mariposa borboleta flora-fauna order Lepidoptera See Language page
moth mariposa nocturna, polilla mariposa flora-fauna order Lepidoptera See Language page
angleworm lombriz minhoca flora-fauna order Opisthopora See Language page
centipede ciempiés centopéia flora-fauna class Chilopoda See Language page
scorpion escorpión; alacran escorpião flora-fauna order Scorpiones See Language page
cicada cigarra, chicharra cigarra flora-fauna super fam. Cicadoidea See Language page
flea pulga pulga flora-fauna order Siphonaptera petárɨ See Language page
blowfly/housefly mosca mosca flora-fauna Diptera déina-to See Language page
cricket saltón, grillo grilo flora-fauna family Gryllidae See Language page
edible palm-dwelling larva (palm weevil) suri, mojojoy larva, broca-do-coqueiro, aramandaiá flora-fauna Rhynchophorus sp. See Language page
praying mantis, stick insects mantis religiosa louva-a-deus flora-fauna order Mantodea, family Mantidae See Language page
mosquito mosquito, zancudo mosquito, carapana flora-fauna Anopheles sp. wáeso, oróso See Language page
termites, white-ants comején (Peru), termitas cupim flora-fauna order Isoptera ópʰo-to See Language page
tick garrapata carrapato flora-fauna superfam Ixodoidea See Language page
wasp avispa; specific type: ronzapa/ronsapa caba flora-fauna order Hymenoptera, sub: Apocrita See Language page
snail caracol, churo (Peru) caracol flora-fauna class Gastropoda See Language page
spider araña aranha flora-fauna Arachnidae, Araneae hamóu-to See Language page
jaguar yaguar, yaguareté, jaguar, otorongo (Peru), tigre (Peru) onca flora-fauna Panthera onca néʉthu, ochi (R95) néɨtʰɨ See Language page
manatee vaca marina, manatí peixe-boi flora-fauna Trichechus sp. See Language page
brown woolly monkey Mono Lanudo Común, Choro, Churucu, mono choro (Peru), mono lanudo cafe, barrigudo de Humboldt macaco barrigudo flora-fauna Lagothrix lagothricha caparro/choyo/barrigudo/churuco Kondo 1983:113 not present in region
howler monkey (red-handed) mono aullador, mono coto (Peru) guariba flora-fauna Alouatta belzebul [or other Alouatta sp.] nʉjʉ nɨ´hɨ araguato/aullador Kondo 1983:113
tufted capuchin monkey mono negro (Peru), Machín Negro, Maicero Cachón, mono maicero macaco prego flora-fauna Cebus apella papobʉ papóbɨ mono maicero Kondo 1983:113
white-fronted capuchin Machín Blanco, mono blanco, Maicero Cariblanco, mono blanco (Peru) Caiarara flora-fauna Cebus albifrons maicero blanco/mono blanco Kondo 1983:113 not present in region
white-fronted spider monkey Machin Blanco, Mono Araña de Vientre Amarillo, maquisapa (Peru), braceadora (Colombia) macaco aranha, coatá, quatá flora-fauna Ateles belzebuth/paniscus marimba/marimonda/braceadora Kondo 1983:113 not present in region
opossum zarigüeya, rabipelado, zorro, zorrillo mucura flora-fauna family Didelphidae 1. tsica; 2. churche (R95, didelphus marsupialis) 1. Scientific name: Didelphus marsupialis, in Spanish: fara/rabipelado/chucha/zarigüeya 1. Kondo 1983:118
giant otter Lobo Grande de Río, nutria gigante, lutria ariranha flora-fauna Pteronura brasiliensis See Language page
neotropical otter (small) Nutria, Lobo de Agua, lobito de rio, perro de agua (Colombia) lontra flora-fauna Lontra longicaudis bonówi See Language page
collared peccary sajino, pecarí de collar, jabalf, Javelina, Saíno, Pecarí de Collar caititu, caetitu flora-fauna Pecari tajacu, Tayassu tajacu tsamuri tsamúri saíno/ cháchara/ báquira de collar/ cerillo Kondo 1983:118
white-lipped peccary Chancho de Monte, Cariblanco, Huangana queixada flora-fauna Tayassu pecari 1. jabtsa; 2. chuche (R95) hábtsa 1. cajuche/cafuche/báquira 1. Kondo 1983:118
porcupine puerco espín, erizo (Peru), casha cushillo (Peru) cuandu, porco-espinho flora-fauna family Erethizontidae mʉxʉbʉ scientific name: coenda prehensilis; in Spanish: puercoespín/ cuerpo espino Kondo 1983:116
cotamundi, coatimundi Coatí, Tejón, Achuni, zorro guache quati flora-fauna genus Nasua See Language page
agouti (black agouti, black-rumped agouti) Guatusa Negra, Añuje, Agutí (black-rumped), picure, jochi colorado cutia flora-fauna Dasyprocta spp. bʉn bɨn picure/chacure/patelata/ñeque/guara/guatín Kondo 1983:116
capybara Capibara, Carpincho, Ronsoco capivara flora-fauna Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris jómocobi homokóbi chigüiro/chigüire/lanza/capibara Kondo 1983:115
green acouchi Guatín, Punchana, curi, picurito rabudo, picurito rabilargo cutiara flora-fauna Myoprocta pratti See Language page
paca (lowland) Guanta, Paca, Majaz, majás (Peru), labba (Guyana) paca flora-fauna Cuniculus paca (Agouti paca is sometimes used as well although cuniculus is the correct term.) ofãbʉ oɸáebɨ lapa/ tinajo/ guagua/ paca/ borugo Kondo 1983:116
mouse, rat ratón camundongo, rata flora-fauna Mus musculus panɨ´to See Language page
squirrel ardilla, danta (Ven) serelepe, quatipuru, esquilo flora-fauna family Sciuridae cʉcʉ, materi ardita/ardilla Kondo 1983:116
tapir sachavaca, danta anta flora-fauna Tapirus terrestris metsa métsa danta Kondo 1983:117
deer venado veado, cariacu flora-fauna family Cervidae, esp. Odocoileus virginianus ohueibi/amori owéibi venado sabanero/ venado caramerudo Kondo 1983:118 Arawak?
horse caballo cavalho flora-fauna Equus caballus See Language page


Cultural Vocabulary (97)
English Spanish Portuguese Semantic Field Part of Speech Orthographic Form Phonemicized Form Gloss as in Source Etymology Code Proto-Form Proto-Language Loan Source Wanderwort Status Etyma Set Etymology Notes Word Structure Word Structure Notes General Notes Source
basket (general) canasta, canasto, cesta cesto culture-material See Language page
basket, small canasta, canasto, cesta cesto pequeno, tampado culture-material See Language page
bead abalorio, mostacilla, cuenta, gota, puca; necklace=collar miçanga culture-material See Language page
bed cama cama culture-material See Language page
hammock hamaca, chinchorro rede culture-material See Language page
bench, seat banco, silla, asiento banco culture-material See Language page
canoe canoa canoa transport héra (CM72) See Language page
drum (large signal) tambor, manguaré, maguaré (Colombia) tambor culture Used to be used by Tukanoan peoples (and others?), sound carried for long distances See Language page
drum tambor tambor culture-mythology See Language page
shaman, healer chamán, brujo xaman, pajé, feiticeiro culture-mythology In RN region, there is typically one person per village (if that) who is a full-fledged 'shaman'. He is very much a specialist and has considerable power to cure, as well as power to curse. He is respected and feared. Shamans are thought to turn themselv See Language page
healer curandero benzador, curandeiro, kumu (Tukano) culture-mythology Refers to a lower-level healer; in RN region, most older men in a village have this capacity, and command a repertoire of healing spells. Power is primarily for good, whereas the true shaman is capable of malignant acts as well. See Language page
broom escoba vassoura culture-material See Language page
clothing ropa roupa culture-mythology See Language page
fence, palisade cerco cerca other may be related to defense/warfare? See Language page
firewood leña lenha other isó- (CM72) See Language page
Curupira (spirit type) Curupira, Madremonte Curupira culture-mythology malignant forest spirit, covered with long hair, feet turned backward; in Upper Rio Negro region See Language page
ghost (of dead person)/evil spirit espíritu malo, espíritu maligno, fantasma, demonio espirito culture-mythology See Language page
deity/powerful spirit/culture figure dios(es), deidad divinidade, figura mítica culture-mythology In RN region, frequently translates as 'Bone-Son', 'One on the bone', etc. See Language page
flute flauta, quena (Peru) flauta culture-mythology multiple types? japurutu, deer-bone, etc. See Language page
panpipe carrizo, zampoñas, flautas de pan, rondadora caniço, flauta de pã culture-mythology See Language page
hollow log/trough for beer-making canoa para chicha cocho de caxiri narcotics See Language page
ritual song cycle (kapiwaya) kapiwaya capiwaya culture-mythology See Language page
knife cuchillo faca culture-material See Language page
machete machete facão culture-material See Language page
axe/stone axe hacha (de piedra) machado (de pedra) subsistence tool especially for clearing fields See Language page
arrow flecha flecha subsistence tool kujéni (CM72) hunting, warfare See Language page
spear lanza lança subsistence tool See Language page
bow arco arco subsistence tool biče-bi (CM72) arco See Language page
paddle/oar remo remo transport katéna See Language page
plate plato prato culture-material See Language page
pot olla, pote panela, vasilha subsistence tool See Language page
basin/bowl tazón, plato hondo, taza tijela culture-material See Language page
griddle for cooking flatbread tiesto (Colombia), budare (Venezuela), tortera (Peru) forno para beiju subsistence tool agriculture? See Language page
rattle matraca, maraca marico, chocalho culture-mythology See Language page
resin resina, brea, copal resina, brea, breu subsistence tool See Language page
wax cera cera other See Language page
honey miel mel food only gathered in wild throughout Amazonia? See Language page
stone for lighting fires piedra para hacer fuego pedra para acender fogo culture-material See Language page
rope/string mecate, cuerda, soga corda culture bú-maka, pe-mɨ́-to See Language page
tattoo tatuaje, tatu tatuagem culture-mythology See Language page
thatch/roof crisneja palha, caraná culture-material See Language page
yurupari, jurupari (or any flutes forbidden to women) yurupari jurupari culture-mythology a ritual complex in various parts of Amazonia involving sacred flutes/trumpets, forbidden to women. See Language page
fetish, charm fetiche, encanto, filtro de amor, pusanga feitiço, puçanga culture-mythology See Language page
feather headdress plumaje, corona de plumas enfeite/capacete de penas culture-mythology See Language page
paint body, body paint pintura corporal pintura corporal culture-mythology See Language page
afterworld, land of dead, Heaven tierra do los muertos terra dos mortos culture-mythology See Language page
school escuela escola acculturation See Language page
bottle botella garrafa acculturation See Language page
paper papel papel acculturation See Language page
dream sueño, soñar sonho, sonhar culture-mythology See Language page
chicken gallina galinha acculturation wákara See Language page
grave tumba, sepultura, sepulcro sepultura, sepulcro, cova culture-mythology See Language page
pipe for tobacco pipa cachimbo other See Language page
sugarcane/sugar azúcar, caña de azúcar açucar (de cana) acculturation See Language page
skirt falda, saya, fustan, pollera saia culture-material See Language page
shoes zapatos sapatos dress See Language page
policeman polícia policía acculturation See Language page
soldier soldado soldado acculturation See Language page
cat gato gato acculturation See Language page
gun arma, escopeta espingarda, fusil acculturation See Language page
hat sombero chapéu dress See Language page
chief/leader jefe, cacique chefe culture-mythology See Language page
club garrote, cachiporra clava, porrete subsistence tool See Language page
loincloth taparrabos, guayuco, pampanilla tanga, tapa-sexo dress See Language page
fireplace hogar lareira other See Language page
fishing line cordel/cuerda p/ pescar, sedal, tanze linha de pesca subsistence tool See Language page
salt sal sal food sare (SP) See Language page
song (generic) canción, canto canção culture-mythology See Language page
blowgun cerbatana, pucuna (Peru) zarabatana subsistence tool currently limited to certain groups (favoring h-g orientation, e.g. Nadahup) within RN region See Language page
dart (blowgun) dardo, birote (Peru), bala (Peru) dardo, seta subsistence tool hunting and warfare See Language page
fan abanico abanador, abano subsistence tool esp. for fanning a cooking fire See Language page
fish (with line) anzuelear, pescar con linea pescar (com linha) food See Language page
fish (with fish-poison) pescar con barbasco, barbasquear pescar com timbó; tinguijar food See Language page
hunt cazar caçar food See Language page
game animal caza, animal de caza caça, animal de caça food Interesting correlation to 'fish' in Tukanoan languages See Language page
gourd (dipper/bowl) cucharón, pate (Peru), totomo, totuma, totumo cuia subsistence tool dére-bɨ, tsóropa ('gourd', H&R) See Language page
grater rallador, rallo ralador, ralo subsistence tool esp. for grating manioc, but can be used for other things as well See Language page
grid of sticks for smoking meat or placing objects (shelf) barbacoa jirau subsistence tool See Language page
mortar mortero pilão subsistence tool See Language page
pestle pilón, mano de mortero, mazo, moledor mão de pilão subsistence tool See Language page
fermented drink masato, chicha caxiri, chicha culture prioritizes manioc beer where distinction is made See Language page
flour/meal from manioc fariña, mañoco (Venezuela); harina farinha food mačúkua (CM72) agriculture See Language page
flat bread, cassava bread pan de yuca, casabe/cazabe beiju food usually manioc; agriculture, but also can be made from certain wild seeds/fruits See Language page
starch (tapioca, other) almidón goma de tapioca food See Language page
tapioca drink, mingau cahuana, caguana mingau food agriculture See Language page
tipiti (manioc squeezer) tipiti, matafrio, sebucán, exprimador, prensa para yuca tipiti food word of Tupi origin; agriculture: specifically for squeezing poison out of manioc See Language page
tripod for washing manioc trípode tripé subsistence tool agriculture See Language page
venom for darts, poison veneno curare subsistence tool hunting, currently is falling out of use in Vaupés region, associated primarily with h-g groups (but this may be recent?) See Language page
woven strainer/sieve colador tejido, cedazo (Peru), cernedor (Peru) peneira, cumatá subsistence tool agriculture? commonly used for sifting dry manioc flour See Language page
bait for fishing cebo, carnada para pescar, empate (Peru) isca subsistence tool can refer to worms; more generic See Language page
fishtrap trampa de peces, trampa matapi, cacuri subsistence tool See Language page
bottom grinding stone manufacture if different word from top grinding stone See Language page
digging stick subsistence tool See Language page
top grinding stone metate, mano; piedra de moler metate, mano manufacture use word for top grinding stone if different from bottom stone See Language page
boomerang/throwing stick (generic) subsistence tool See Language page
spearthrower subsistence tool See Language page
house other bo See Language page