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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Americas > Brazil > Ninam

Ninam

A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3: shb

Population 466 in Brazil (1976 UFM). Most are monolingual. Population includes 236 in southern dialect, 230 in northern dialect. Population total all countries: 566.
Region Mucajai, upper Uraricáa, and Paragua rivers, Roraima. Also spoken in Venezuela.
Alternate names   Yanam, Xirianá, Shiriana Casapare, Kasrapai, Jawaperi, Crichana, Jawari
Dialects Southern Ninam (Shirishana, Mukajai), Northern Ninam (Shiriana, Uraricaa-Paragua).
Classification Yanomam
Language use All ages. A few children are beginning to learn Portuguese.
Language development Bible portions: 1970.
Comments Distinct from the Arawakan Xiriâna.

Also spoken in:

Venezuela

Language name   Ninam
Population 100 in Venezuela.
Region Karun and Paragua rivers, Bolivar State.
Alternate names   Yanam, Xiriana
Dialects Northern Ninam, Southern Ninam.
Language use In Venezuela all speakers also use Spanish or Arecuna or both.