Aruã language

Aruã, also known as Aruán or Aroã, is an extinct Arawakan language of Brazil. It was spoken by the Aruã people, who lived on the island Caviana and the North-East of Marajó. Aikhenvald (1999) classifies it as a close relative of Palikur.

At least seven works were written in and on the Aruã language in the 18th century by Capuchin missionaries on the island Marajó. These have all been lost. In 1877, naturalist and anthropologist Domingos Penna compiled a vocabulary given by the last Aruã who lived in Afuá, who was around 75 years old. An excerpt from this vocabulary is given in the list below.

In the 18th century, part of the Aruã people moved to the Uaçá River in the current state Amapá, where they mixed with the Galibi, the Marworno and other peoples. Around 1890, they still spoke among each other in the Aruã language. However by 1926, no-one could be found anymore who spoke it, speaking French Creole and Portuguese instead.

Vocabulary