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Achagua Language (Achawa, Xagua)
Language: Achagua is an Arawak
language of South America, spoken by about 200 people in eastern Colombia. It is closely related to the better-known
Piapoco language.
Achagua is a polysynthetic language with complex
verbs and predominantly SVO word order.
Thanks for your interest in indigenous American languages!
Names:
Achagua is a native name used by the people. The Achaguas say it comes from
their word for "advisor" or "wise person."
Other spellings of this name include Achawa, Ajagua, Xagua, Axagua, Achugua, and Ajaga.
Barria, Abani, and Quirruba were the names of historical Amerindian bands of Colombia
which are sometimes considered to have been subtribes of the Achagua or speakers of the same language.
None of those three bands exist as distinct entities anymore, having either merged with other Achagua speakers or been
absorbed into the neighboring Guahibo tribe.
Achagua Vocabulary:
Our list of vocabulary words in the Achagua language, with comparison to words in other Arawakan languages.
Achagua Alphabet:
How to pronounce Achagua words.
Achagua Animal Words:
Illustrated glossary of animal words in the Achagua language.
Achagua Colors:
Worksheet showing color words in the Achagua language.
Achagua Body Parts:
Online and printable worksheets showing parts of the body in the Achagua language.
Achagua Numbers:
Worksheet showing how to count in the Achagua language.
Achagua Food:
Worksheet with pictures of food words in the Achagua language.
Achagua Language Resources
Northern Colombia Language Map: 
Achagua Map:
Map showing where in South America the Achagua language is spoken.
Achagua (Achawa):
Profile of the Achagua language including a phonological inventory, orthography and a text.
Achagua Linguistic Description Achagua Orthography Achagua Phonology Achagua Grammar:
Digitized Achagua language materials from the Rosetta Project.
Achagua Phonology:
Linguistic chart of phonemes in the Achagua language.
Wikipedia: Achagua:
Encyclopedia entry on the Achagua language.
Achawa:
Achagua language information in Spanish.
Achugua Language Tree:
Theories about Achagua's language relationships compiled by Linguist List.
Achagua Language Structures:
Achagua linguistic profile and academic bibliography.
Achagua Papers:
Archive of linguistics papers on Achagua, in English and Spanish.
Achagua New Testament: Achagua Words of Life:
Translations of Bible passages and Christian prayers into the Achagua language.
Books for sale on the Achaguas
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Diccionario achagua-español:
Achagua dictionary for sale online (book in Spanish.)
Gramática Achagua:
Achagua grammar for sale online (book in Spanish.)
Comparative Arawakan Histories
Interesting book about the history and culture of the Achagua and other Arawak speaking tribes.
Native American Books:
Evolving list of books about Native Americans in general.
Sponsored Links
Achagua Indian Legends:
Collection of myths and legends of the Achagua Indians.
Indigenous People: The Achagua:
Information about Achagua culture and tradition.
Britannica: Achagua Indians: Wikipedia: Achagua
Encyclopedia articles about the Achagua tribe of Colombia.
Los Achagua Los indios achagua Pueblo Achagua El pueblo Achagua teme por su futuro:
Indigenas: Achagua de Colombia Los Achaguas, la gente del río:
Information about the Achagua tribe in Spanish.
Links, References, and Additional Information
Endangered Languages Project: Achagua:
Bibliography of Achagua language resources.
OLAC: Achagua:
Reference list of Achagua language materials.
Native People of Colombia:
Information about the indigenous culture of Colombia.
Achagua:
Achagua links.
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