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Brazil Native Animals

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

Three of these Brazilian languages are related to each other. Can you guess which languages are related from the native 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.

Brazil Native Animal Names

Guajajara: zàwàruhu Kaingang: mĩg Kaiwa: jagwarete Nheengatu: iauareté	Guajajara: ka'i Kaingang: kajẽr Kaiwa: ka'i Nheengatu: iurupixuna
Guajajara: wira Kaingang: sikré Kaiwa: gwyra Nheengatu: uirá	Guajajara: arar Kaingang: kã'ég Kaiwa: japíry Nheengatu: arára
Guajajara: anyra Kaingang: krygféj Kaiwa: mbopi Nheengatu: andira	Guajajara: moz Kaingang: pyn Kaiwa: mbói Nheengatu: buia

Return to our national Indigenous People of Brazil homepage.
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