The Kariri languages, generally considered dialects of a single language rather than fully distinct languages, were formerly spoken by the Kiriri people between the modern Brazilian states of Bahia and Maranhao in northeastern Brazil. Four varieties are recorded, Kipea, Kamuru, Dzubukua and Sabuja, and although the languages fell out of use by the mid-20th century, a revival of the Dzubukua variety began in 1989 among the roughly 4,000 ethnic Kiriri people recorded in 2020, most of whom are now monolingual Portuguese speakers.
Facts
RegionNortheast Brazil, scattered across the modern states of Paraíba, Ceará, Pernambuco and Bahia after colonial-era displacement of Kariri speakers. 1 Proto-Language StatusNo proto-Kariri reconstruction is described; classification as part of Macro-Jê is disputed, and the four attested varieties (Kipea, Kamuru, Dzubukua, Sabuja) are known only from colonial-era grammars, catechisms and word lists. 1 In the Other Atlases
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Source Wikidata: Kariri
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Kariri languages
WikipediaHistory section
Kariri languages became scattered across Paraíba, Ceará, Pernambuco, Bahia, and other states.
Classification section
Kariri has been included in the Macro-Jê family. However, the resemblances may be superficial, and the most recent classification of Macro-Jê excludes Kariri.
View the Source Wikidata: Kariri
Wikidata Q3446132, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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