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Native Amazonian Animals

Here are the indigenous words for six native animals of the Amazon rainforest. We have given their names in five different Indian languages: Amuesha, Guajajara, Guarani, Kaingang, and Nheengatu. Notice that the English word jaguar and the Portuguese word arara both come from these indigenous languages of the Amazon.

Three of these languages are related to each other. Can you guess which ones are related from the Amazon animal words listed here? (Hint: Not every word will sound similar even in closely related languages, so you will need to look at several different animals to figure it out!) You can find the answer on this page: Tupi-Guarani languages.

Native Amazonian Animal Names

Amuesha: ma'yaarr Guajajara: zàwàruhu Guarani: jaguarete Kaingang: mĩg Nheengatu: iauareté	Amuesha: huaasa Guajajara: ka'i Guarani: ka'i Kaingang: kajẽr Nheengatu: iurupixuna
Amuesha: o Guajajara: wira Guarani: guyra Kaingang: sikré Nheengatu: uirá	Amuesha: pueella Guajajara: arar Guarani: gua'a Kaingang: kã'ég Nheengatu: arára
Amuesha: pohsoorr Guajajara: anyra Guarani: mbopi Kaingang: krygféj Nheengatu: andira	Amuesha: po'yaallo Guajajara: moz Guarani: mbói Kaingang: pyn Nheengatu: buia

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