South American Indian Language Groups, Table

▪ Table

Only languages attested linguistically are included. Extinct languages

are shown in italics. A number in parentheses after the name of a group

indicates a possible relationship with the group identified by that number.

Languages are separated by commas, names in parentheses are of dialects,

and names in brackets are alternative spellings. Except for Arawakan,

Macro-Ge, and Tupian, most groupings are geographical, but those identified

by capital letters represent in general markedly differentiated groups.

Spelling follows the most common usage for each language or group, thus

it is not consistent. Equivalent spellings: b=v; g=j=y; gu=hu=u=w; i=y;

h=(nothing); h=j; k=c (before a, o, u); k=qu (before i, e); sh=x=ch; s=z;

ñ=nh=ny; x=j. Names are arranged alphabetically within each subdivision.

language location

1. ALACALUFAN (47): Aksanas or Kaueskar, Alacaluf, Chile

Caucau or Caucawe

2. ANDOQUE (9) Colombia

3. ARAUCANIAN or MAPUCHE (32, 37) Chile, Argentina

4. ARAWAKAN (43, 44)

A. Amuesha Peru

B. Apolista or Lapachu Bolivia

C. Arauan: Araua, Curina, Madihá, Brazil

Paumarí, Yamadí

D. Chamicuro Peru

E. Maipurean

1. Achagua, Amarizana, Capite, Minanei, Cauyarí, Colombia

Guarú, Guayupé, Maipure, Piapoco, Resígaro,

Tariana, Warakena, Yucuna,

Anauya, Baré, Curipaco, Guinau, Mandawaca, Venezuela

Paraujano [Parauhano],

Araikú, Aruan, Cariay, Brazil

Carútana, Catapolítani, Cawishana, Hohodene,

Manao, Mapanai, Marawá, Mariate, Maulieni,

Moriwene, Pasé, Siusí, Wainumá, Wiriná,

Yabaana, Yumana,

Arawak or Lokono, Guyana, Fr. Guiana

Goajiro, Colombia, Venezuela

Adzaneni, Ipeca, Brazil, Colombia

Island Carib Dominica

2. Atorai, Mapidian, Guyana

Wapishana Guyana, Brazil

3. Baníva, Yavitero Venezuela

4. Bauré, Mojo or Ignaciano, Muchojeone, Bolivia

Pauna, Paicone

5. Campa, Machiguenga, Piro, Peru

Canamari, Chontaquiro [Chontakiro], Cuniba, Brazil

Cushineri, Ipuriná,

Inapari Bolivia

6. Caripuna, Marawan Brazil

7. Chané, Argentina

Guaná, Paraguay, Brazil

Quiniquiano, Tereno Brazil

8. Paressí, Brazil

Sarave Bolivia

F. Taino Antilles

G. Morique [Morike] or Mayoruna Peru

5. ATACAMA or CUNZA or LINCAN ANTAI Argentina, Chile

6. AUAKE or ARUTANI Brazil, Venezuela

7. AUISHIRI [AWISHIRA] Peru

8. BAENAN Brazil

9. BORA-HUITOTOAN (2)

A. Boran: Bora or Miraña, Emejeite, Muinane Colombia

B. Huitotoan [Witotoan]: Andoquero, Colombia

Huitoto [Witoto],

Coeruna, Brazil

Ocaina, Orejone, Nonuya or Achote [Achiote] Peru

10. CANICHANA Bolivia

11. CAPIXANA or CANOE Brazil

12. CARIBAN (70)

A. 1. Acawai, Waica, Venezuela

Taulipang or Ipuricoto or Pemon Brazil, Venezuela

(Arecuna, Camaracoto, Ingarico)

2. Apalai, Aracajú, Upurui, Brazil

Oyana, Suriname

Rucuyen Fr. Guiana

3. Apiacá or Apingi, Arara, Brazil

Parirí

4. Atroahi (Yauaperi), Quirixana, Brazil

Waimiri [Waimiry]

5. Bakairi [Bacairi], Nahukua Brazil

(Nahucua), Yaruma

6. Bonari, Hishkariana, Parucoto, Brazil

Waiboi, Waiwai

7. Cachuene or Caxuiana, Brazil

Mutuan, Pauxí, Saluma, Wayewé,

Chiquena [Chikene] or Shikiana Brazil, Guyana

8. Carare, Opone Colombia

9. Caribe or Calina or Galibi, Antilles, Guianas

Carif Belize, Honduras

10. Carijona (Guaque [Guake], Umaua) Colombia

11. Colima, Muzo, Pijiao Colombia

12. Cumanagoto (Chayma, Tamanaco), Tivericoto Venezuela

13. Keseruna, Macushí, Paraviyana, Brazil

Purukoto, Zapará

14. Mariquitare or Decuana, Brazil, Venezuela

Yecuana or Mayongong (Cunuaná, Ihuruana) Venezuela

15. Mapoyo or Nepoyo, Yauarana Venezuela

16. Motilón Colombia, Venezuela

17. Palmela [Palmella] Brazil

18. Panare Venezuela

19. Patagón Peru

20. Pawishana Brazil

21. Pianocoto, Brazil

Tliometesen, Suriname

Trio (Ocomayana, Urucuyena [Urucuena], Wama) Suriname, Brazil

22. Pimenteira Brazil

23. Yao Fr. Guiana, Trinidad

B. Chocó: Chamí, Sambú [Sambo], Colombia

Waunana

13. CARIRI or KIRIRI Brazil

14. CATACAO: Catacao, Colan Peru

15. CATEMBRI or MIRANDELA Brazil

16. CATUQUINA [CATUKINA]: Bendiapa (Canamari, Parawa), Brazil

Catuquina [Catukina] or Wiridyapa, Catauxi,

Tucundiapa [Tucundyapa]

17. CAYUVAVA (70) Bolivia

18. CHAPACURA: Chapacura or Huachi, Itene or Moré, Bolivia

Itoreauhip, Nape, Pacahanovo, Quitemo,

Cumaná (Abitana), Torá, Urupá Brazil

(Yarú [Jarú]), Wañám [Wanyam]

19. CHIQUITO or TARAPECOSI (42) Bolivia

20. CHOLONAN: Cholona or Seeptsá, Peru

Híbito

21. COFÁN Colombia, Ecuador

22. CULLI or ILINGA Peru

23. ERIKBAKTSA or CANOEIRO Brazil

24. GAMELA Brazil

25. GORGOTOQUI Brazil

26. GUAHIBOAN (4): Chiricoa, Guahibo, Venezuela, Colombia

Churuya, Guayabero Venezuela

27. GUAYCURÚ-CHARRUAN

A. Charruan: Chaná, Uruguay

Charrúa (Guenoa or Minuan) Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil

B. Guaycuruan: Abipón or Callaga, Argentina, Paraguay

Caduveo or Mbayá or Guaycurú, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay

Guachí, Brazil

Mocoví, Argentina

Payaguá or Lengua, Paraguay

Toba-Pilagá Argentina, Bolivia

28. GUAMO Venezuela

29. GUATÓ Bolivia, Brazil

30. GUENNAKEN or GUNUNA-KUNE or PUELCHE Argentina

31. HUARIAN: Huari or Corumbiara, Masaca or Aicana Brazil

32. HUARPEAN (37): Allentiac, Millcayac Argentina

33. IRANXE (4) Brazil

34. JIRAJARAN: Ayomán, Gayón, Jirajara Venezuela

35. KALIANA or SAPE Venezuela

36. KOAIA Brazil

37. JEBERO-JIVAROAN

A. Jeberoan or Cahuapanan: Cahuapana or Chuncho Peru

[Concho],Chayavita, Jebero [Chébero],

Miquirá, Yamorai

B. Jívaroan: Aguaruna, Peru

Jívaro or Shuara (Achual, Huambisa [Wambisa]) Ecuador

38. KUKURA Brazil

39. LECO Bolivia

40. LULEAN (48)

A. Lule or Tonocoté

B. Vilela or Chunupí (Atalalá, Argentina

Ocolé, Uacambabelé)

41. MACRO-CHIBCHAN

A. Chibchan

1. Abiseta or Orosi or Tucurrique [Tucurrike], Costa Rica

Boruca or Turucaca, Bribrí or

Lari, Cabecar, Chiripó, Estrella, Terraba or

Brurán, Tirub or Rayado

2. Andaquí Colombia

3. Atanque or Busintana, Bintucua or Ijca, Colombia

Cágaba or Koghi, Guamaca or Arsario,

Tairona or Teyuna

4. Barira or Cunaguasaya, Colombia

Motilón or Dobocubí,

Mape Venezuela

5. Betoi Colombia

6. Cara or Imbaya, Cayapa or Nigua, Ecuador

Colorado or Campaz or Colima or Satxila,

Pasto,

Cuaiquier, Muellama, Telembi Colombia

7. Catio, Nutabé Colombia

8. Chibcha or Muisca, Tunebo Colombia

9. Chimila, Malibú Colombia

10. Changuena, Chumula (Gualaca) Panama

11. Coconuco, Guambiana or Silviano, Colombia

Moguex, Totoró

12. Corobisi, Guatuso, Guetar, Suerre or Camachi Costa Rica

13. Cuna, Panama

Cueva Colombia

14. Guaymí, Move (Penonemeño) Panama

15. Panzaleo or Quito, Ecuador

Paez Colombia

16. Rama Nicaragua

17. Sebondoy or Kamsá or Coche or Mocoa, Colombia

Quillasinga

B. 1. Esmeralda or Atacame Ecuador

2. Yaruro Venezuela

C. Itonama Bolivia

D. Paya Honduras

E. Sumo-Miskito-Matagalpa

1. Matagalpa (Cacaopera), Ecuador, Suriname

Jinotega or Chingo Nicaragua

2. Miskito [Mosquito], Honduras, Nicaragua

Ulua, Sumo Nicaragua

F. Waican or Yanoaman: Karimé [Carimé], Brazil

Pakidai-Surara, Paucosa,

Sanemá or Samatari (Pubmatari), Venezuela

Shamatari, Shirianá or Casapare, Brazil, Venezuela

Waica [Waika]

G. Warao [Warrau] or Guarauno Venezuela

42. MACRO-GE (70)

A. Bororoan

1. Bororo Brazil

2. Otuké Bolivia

B. Botocudo or Aymoré

C. Fulnió Brazil

D. Ge

1. Akroá, Xakriaba [Shacriaba], Brazil

Xavante [Shavante], Xerente [Sherenté]

2. Apinayé-Kayapó, Eastern Brazil

Timbira, Suyá

3. Caingang [Kaingang], Xokleng [Shocleng] Brazil

4. Southern Kayapó Brazil

E. Jeikó [Jeico] Brazil

F. Kamakán Brazil

G. Karajá Brazil

H. Kapoxo (Kumanaxo), Malalí, Brazil

Maxakalí, Monoxo, Patashó

I. Ofayé or Opayé-Shavante Brazil

J. Purí-Coroado: Coroado, Coropó, Purí

43. MACRO-MAYAN (4): Uru-Chipaya (Uru, Chipaya) Bolivia

44. MACRO-PANO-TACANAN (4)

A. Chon: Haush or Manekenken, Ona or Argentina

Shelknam, Tehuelche, Teushen or Tehuesh

B. Mosetene: Chimane, Mosetene [Moseten] Bolivia

C. Pano-Tacanan

1. Panoan: Amahuaca [Amawaca], Brazil, Peru

Cashinahua [Cashinawa],

Capanahua [Capanawa], Cashibo, Peru

Conibo-Shipibo (Chama, Setebo, Sensi),

Marinahua [Marinawa], Marobo, Nocamán,

Pano or Pánobo,

Culino (Curina), Jaminahua, Mayoruna or Brazil

Maruba, Nastanahua, Nixinahua, Parannahua,

Poyanahua, Remo, Shaminahua, Tushinahua

[Tushinawa], Waninahua or Catoquino,

Yahuanahua (Yawanawa), Yumanahua,

Arazaire [Arasaire], Atsahuaca [Atsawaca] or Peru

Chaspa, Yamiaca or Haauñeiri,

Caripuna, Brazil

Chácobo, Pacahuara [Pacawara] Bolivia

2. Tacanan: Arasa, Cavineña, Chama or Bolivia

Esseejja, Guarizo, Huarayo (Tianinagua),

Mabenaro, Maropa or Reyesano, Sapiboca

[Sapiboka], Tacana (Araona, Toromona)

D. Yuracare Bolivia

45. MAKÚ Venezuela, Brazil

46. MASCOY [MASCOI] or LENGUA: Paraguay

Angaité (Sanapá), Kashiká or

Guaná, Lengua or Enslet or Cocoloth (Mascoy)

47. MATACO-MACCÁ [MACÁ]

1. Ashluslay or Chulupí Paraguay

Chorotí or Solote or Yofuaha Paraguay, Argentina

Choropí (Suhin, Sotirai), Mataco or Argentina

Mataguayo (Guisnay, Nocten, Vejoz)

2. Enimagá or Cochaboth Paraguay

3. Maccá [Macá] or Towothli Paraguay

48. MOVIMA (27) Bolivia

49. MUNICHI [MUNICHE] Peru

50. MURA-MATANAWÍ

A. Bohurá, Mura, Pirahá Brazil

B. Matanawí Brazil

51. MURATO or CANDOSHI or SHAPRA Peru

52. NAMBIKWARA [NAMBICUARA]: Brazil

Central Nambikwara, Eastern Nambikwara

53. OMURANO or MAYNA Peru

54. OTOMACO-TAPARITA: Otomaco, Taparita Venezuela

55. PANKARURÚ [PANCARARÚ] Brazil

56. PUINAVE-MAKU: Makú, Marahan, Querari, Brazil

Puinave Colombia

57. PUQUINA: Pohena or Callahuaya, Puquina Bolivia

58. QUECHUMARAN

A. Aymaran: Aymara, Cauqui or Jaqaru Bolivia, Peru

B. Quechuan: Almaguero, Inga, Colombia

Ancash, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Chasutino, Peru

Huánuco, Junín, Lamano, Lima, Mayna,

Pasco, Ucayali,

Catamarca-La Rioja, Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Cuzco-Bolivian, Peru, Bolivia

Ecuadorian, Quijos, Tena, Ecuador

Tuichi Bolivia

59. SABELAN: Sabela or Auca or Huarani, Tiwituey Peru

60. SÁLIVA-PIAROAN: Maco (Macu), Piaroa, Venezuela

Sáliva Colombia

61. SEC or SECHURA or TALLÁN or Peru

ATALÁN

62. SIMACU or ITUCALE or ARUCUAYA or URARIÑA Peru

63. TARARIU (TARAIRIU) or OCHUKUYANA Brazil

[OCHUKAYANA]

64. TARUMA Brazil

65. TIKUNA [TICUNA] or TUKUNA [TUCUNA] Brazil, Colombia

66. TIMOTE Venezuela

67. TINIGUAN: Pamigua, Tinigua Colombia

68. TRUMAI Brazil

69. TUCANOAN

A. Western: Amaguaje, Coto, Piojé, Peru

Coreguaje [Correguaje], Dätuana, Colombia

Icaguaje, Macaguaje, Macuna, Sära,

(Ömöa, Buhagana), Siona [Sioni], Tama,

Tanimuca, Uantia, Yahuna, Yupua,

Coretu, Brazil

Secoya Ecuador

B. Eastern: Bara, Erulia (Paneroa, Tsölöa), Colombia

Karapana [Carapaná], (Möchda), Pamöá,

Siana or Chiranga, Tatapuyo, Waiana,

Yarutí or Patsoca,

Desana, Tuyuka (Tuyuca), Wanana (Waikina), Colombia, Brazil

Kubeo [Cubeo], Tucano Brazil

70. TUPIAN (12)

A. 1. (Tupí-Guaraní): Apiaká Brazil

[Apiacá], Awetí, Canoeiro, Kamayurá

[Camayura], Kawaíb [Cawahíb] (Pawate,

Parintintin, Wirafed), Kayabí (Cayabí),

Shetà, Takuñapé [Tacunyapé],

Tapirapé, Tenetéhara (Anambé,

Guayayara [Guajajára], Manajé, Tembé,

Turiwara, Urubú), Tupí-Guaraní

(Tupí-nambá), Neengatú,

Oyampí-Emerillon, Brazil, Fr. Guiana

Pauserna, Bolivia, Brazil

Guaraní, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay

Kaiwá, Brazil, Paraguay

Chiriguano, Guarayú, Bolivia

Tapieté, Chané Paraguay

2. Cocama, Peru

Omagua Brazil, Peru

3. Guayakí Paraguay

4. Mawé Brazil

5. Sirionó Bolivia

B. Arara, Ramarama (Itogapid), Urukú, Urumí Brazil

C. Arikem, Kabishiana, Karitiana Brazil

D. Arué, Digüt, Mondé Brazil

E. Guarategaya (Amniapé, Kanoe, Mekens), Brazil

Kepkiriwat, Makurap, Tuparí, Wayoró

(Apichum)

F. Kuruaya [Curuaya], Mundurukú Brazil

G. Manitsawá, Shipaya, Yuruna Brazil

H. Puruborá Brazil

71. TUSHÁ Brazil

72. TUYONEIRI or ARASAIRI or HUACHIPAIRI Peru

73. UMAN or HUAMOI Brazil

74. XUKURÚ or ICHIKILE Brazil

75. YABUTÍ: Aricapú, Mashubi, Brazil

Yabutí or Quipiu

76. YAGUA: Masamae, Peba or Nijamo, Yagua or Mishara, Peru

Yameo or Camuchivo

77. YÁMANA or YAGHAN (41) Chile

78. YUNCA or CHIMÚ or MUCHIC or Ecuador

CHINCHA: Puruhá-Cañari,

Yunca Peru

79. YURÍ Brazil, Colombia

80. YURIMANGUI Colombia

81. ZAMUCO: Chamacoco (Ebidoso, Tumrahá), Paraguay

Zamuco (Ayoré, Moro)

82. ZÁPARO: Arabela, Iquito (Cahuarano), Peru

Shimigae [Semigae], Andoa, Záparo

* * *