The Cahuapanan languages are a language family spoken in the Amazon basin of northern Peru. They include two languages, Chayahuita and Jebero, which are spoken by more than 11,300 people. Chayahuita is spoken by most of that number, but Jebero is almost extinct.

Language contact

Jolkesky (2016) notes that there are lexical similarities with the Kechua, Arawak, Kandoshi, Pukina, and Karib language families due to contact.

Varieties

The extinct language Maynas can be identified as close to Chawi. Other Cahuapanan varieties that are listed by Loukotka (1968):

Proto-language

Rojas-Berscia (2019)

Rojas-Berscia (2019) gives the following forms for Proto-Kawapanan, along with their respective Shawi, and Shiwilu reflexes. ! gloss !! Proto-Kawapanan !! Shawi !! Shiwilu

Valenzuela (2011)

Valenzuela (2011) gives the following Swadesh list table for the Proto-Cahuapana, Jebero, and Chayahuita. ! no. !! Spanish gloss !! English gloss !! Proto-Cahuapana !! Jebero !! Chayahuita

Vocabulary

Loukotka (1968)

Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items for the Cahuapanan languages. ! gloss !! Cahuapana !! Chayavita !! Jebero !! Miquirá ! one ! two ! three ! head ! ear ! tooth ! fire ! stone ! sun ! moon ! maize ! dog ! boat