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Guaja Indian Language (Awá-Guajá, Ava, Awa)

Language: Awa-Guaja is a Tupian language of Brazil, related to other Amazonian languages like Wayampi and Tenetehara. Guaja is an agglutinative language which uses SOV word order. Some Awa communities remain uncontacted today and others are remote, but there are estimated to be between 200-500 speakers of Awa living in Brazil today.

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Names: Awa is the tribe's own name for themselves, meaning "people." Since there are similar words in other Tupian languages, the tribe is often referred to by the place name Guaja instead, or they are combined into the longer name "Awa-Guaja." They are sometimes also known by their names in neighboring tribes, Ayaya and Wazaizara. These names have been spelled many different ways over time including Awá-Guajá, Waja, Waza, Gwaja, Gwaza, Guaxa, Guaxare, Awà, Awas, Ava, or Aiaya.

Guaja Language

Guaja language samples and resources.

Awa-Guaja Culture and History

Our collection of links about the Awa-Guaja nation past and present.

Awa-Guaja Language Resources

Our Online Awa-Guaja Materials

Guaja Vocabulary:
Our list of vocabulary words in the Guaja language, with comparison to words in other Tupi-Guarani languages.

Guaja Pronunciation Guide:
How to pronounce Guaja words.

Guaja Animals:
Picture dictionary of animal words in the Guaja language.

Guaja Dictionaries and Language Books for Sale
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

The Amazonian Languages:
Linguistic information about Guaja and do

zens of other languages of the Amazon.

Awa-Guaja Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Tribal Map of Brazil:
Map showing the areas where Guaja, Guajajara and other indigenous Brazilian languages are spoken.

Guaja Phonology:
Linguistic chart of phonemes in the Guaja language.

Wikipedia: Guajá:
Encyclopedia article on the Guaja language.

Guaja Language Tree:
Theories about Guaja's language relationships compiled by Linguist List.

El Idioma Guaja:
Information about the Guaja language in Spanish.

Guaja Papers:
Archive of linguistics papers on Guaja, in English and Spanish.

OLAC: Guaja:
Reference list of Guaja language materials.

Endangered Languages Project: Guaja:
Bibliography of Guaja language resources.

Awa Guaja Scripture:
Translations of Bible passages into the Guaja language.

Links, References, and Additional Information

Povo Guaja

Os Indios Guajá:
Information about the Guaja tribe and their language in Portuguese.

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