dodo

Amazona ochrocephala
Amazona ochrocephala#Translingual

the yellow-crowned amazon, Amazona ochrocephala

Amazona aestiva
Amazona aestiva#Translingual

the blue-fronted amazon, Amazona aestiva

the two-striped forest-pitviper or parrotsnake, Bothrops bilineatus


mama

(Cunucunuma River dialect) first-person possessed form of nü


ye

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of iye (“wood, tree”)


kana

Amazon brycon, a fish of species Brycon amazonicus


ja

head

ja (obligatorily possessed; possessed jadü)

sibling’s grandchild; grandnephew or grandniece


atto

Alternative form of a'to (“rope, twine, snell”)


kakao

Theobroma cacao
Theobroma cacao#Translingual

cacao, Theobroma cacao or Herrania mariae


wai

(in ritual chants) Synonym of jüwai (“shaman”)


anna

From Proto-Cariban [Term?]; compare Trió anna.

central ground, central space, in particular:

central room of a village roundhouse, where unmarried men sleep and ritual activities take place

(in modern, more dispersed villages) central field of a village community where the roundhouse is located, or the roundhouse itself


shimada

Borrowed from Arawakan; compare Lokono shimarha.


amo

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of amö (“hand”)


motto

a kind of long earthworm or caecilian used as a sacred food during major life events and at the end of any fast, and also for fishing


dee

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of iye (“wood, tree”)


muna

→ Sanumá: mõna

Amazon River dolphin
Amazon River dolphin

Inia geoffrensis
Inia geoffrensis#Translingual

the boto or Amazon River dolphin, Inia geoffrensis


dui

dui (obligatorily possessed; possessed dui)

From Proto-Cariban *rui; compare Apalaí ryxi, rui, Kari'na yryi, yrui, Akawaio rui, Macushi rui, Pemon rui, Yao (South America) huoroye.


mota

mota (obligatorily possessed; possessed motai)


aki

aki (obligatorily possessed; possessed akiyü)


awa

(Brazil) Alternative form of öwa (“cemetery”)


akai

a device used to teach children how to walk, consisting of a seat with legholes in it hung from a rafter at just the right height to allow them to hang with their feet touching the ground


ji

Perhaps from Proto-Cariban *pipi (“older brother”).


ajö

ajö (obligatorily possessed; possessed ajödü)

From Proto-Cariban *apô (“arm”); compare Apalaí apo, Kari'na apo, Trió apë, Wayana apë, Waiwai apo, Akawaio apö, Pemon apue, Yao (South America) iapelly.


iwi

the Amazonian brown brocket, Mazama nemorivaga


kaju

(Ye'kwana mythology, usually suffixed with -nña) the mythological Sky or Heaven, an invisible sky beyond the visible sky divided into eight houses


tawa

tawa (obligatorily possessed; possessed tawadü)


mada

herb(s) used for magical purposes, especially the kind of wild elephant ear plant called woi


kuku

aji'choto weja'kadü
aji'choto weja'kadü#Ye'kwana

a life-sized figure constructed from tree branches and other natural materials, symbolically killed in the aji'choto weja'kadü ritual


mado

Panthera onca
Panthera onca#Translingual


sotto

so'to (alternative)
ssoto (alternative)
soto (alternative Brazil)


etana

(now vulgar) cross-cousin (of either sex)


jawi

Alternative form of jaawi (“black curassow”)


yaji

Perhaps borrowed from a Yanomami language; compare Yanomamö yãpi (“grey-winged trumpeter”).

grey-winged trumpeter
grey-winged trumpeter

Psophia crepitans
Psophia crepitans#Translingual

the agami or grey-winged trumpeter, Psophia crepitans


dadi

the genip tree, Genipa americana or Genipa spruceana

a transparent sticky oil or resin extracted from the genip tree, used as a black bodypaint when mixed with soot from the cassava grills (jütadi)


muuna

(Brazil) Alternative form of muna (“the boto or Amazon River dolphin, Inia geoffrensis”)


uju

uju (obligatorily possessed; possessed ujudu)

From Proto-Cariban *pupu (“foot”); compare Apalaí pupu, Kari'na pupu, Trió pupu, Wayana pupu, Macushi pupu, Yao (South America) poepe.


dede

the greater bulldog bat, Noctilio leporinus

a basket motif featurng four interlocking images facing outward from a central point, with each image consisting of two small diamonds embraced by one or more larger V-shapes


komu

oldest child (of a man), where ‘child’ has the scope of nne (sons, daughters, children of a brother or sister of the same sex, etc.)


tudi

Compare Apalaí katari, Kari'na katuri, Trió katari, Wayana katali.

open-backed rectangular carrying basket woven by men and carried as a backpack by an attached bark strap that passes around the shoulders


tamu

tamu (obligatorily possessed; possessed tamudu)

From Proto-Cariban *tamu (“grandfather”).


setu

Alternative form of settu (“small sturdy vase-shaped basket made of minñaatö with a coiled handle, used to cage small animals and store peppers, cotton, and other goods”)


jode

jode (obligatorily possessed; possessed jodedü)

From Proto-Cariban *pôre (“leg”). Compare Apalaí pori, Kari'na pori, Trió përi, Yao (South America) pollelii.


manku

Borrowed from Spanish mango, from English mango.


awana

protection, protective substance
bodypaint

the priprioca sedge, Cyperus articulatus


manade

Compare Apalaí manare, Kari'na manare, Trió manare, Wayana manale, as well as (from non-Cariban languages) Lokono manari.

a flat circular basket with holes between its plaiting, through which pressed yuca is forced in order to make cassava flour


adama

hook used for picking high fruit or hanging things


mma

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of nma (“house”)


saaku

Ipomoea batatas
Ipomoea batatas#Translingual


adoni

revitalizing agent or power, vitamin, health


madi

Pilherodius pileatus
Pilherodius pileatus#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the capped heron, Pilherodius pileatus


damai

a vine used in barbasco fishing, possibly Swartzia macrophylla


adada

→ Sanumá: ãdãdã

Anhinga anhinga
Anhinga anhinga#Translingual


junu

Alternative spelling of jhunu (“muscle, flesh”)


nne

nne (obligatorily possessed; possessed nnedü, possessed plural nnakomo)

(in relation to a man) brother’s son or daughter, fraternal niece or nephew

(in relation to a woman) sister’s son or daughter, sororal niece or nephew

father’s brother’s son’s son or daughter

male parallel cousin’s child
mother’s sister’s son’s son or daughter

father’s sister’s daughter’s son or daughter

mother’s brother’s daughter’s son or daughter


kushi

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of kusshi (“a kind of lightly fermented drink made from cassava”)


nuwa

nuwa (obligatorily possessed; possessed nuwadü)


washo

the three-striped night monkey, Aotus trivirgatus


iye

From Proto-Cariban *jôje (“tree, wood”).

yee (alternative)
ye (alternative)
dhee (alternative)
dee (alternative)


daju

a kind of thin bamboo used for making arrowheads


anku

a fragrant watercress-like herb mixed with water, salt, and possibly other herbs to ritually bathe a newborn baby and its mother for the first three months after birth, as well as to bathe the dead


sa'da'da

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of sa'dada (“sand”)


jüü

From Proto-Cariban *wɨpɨ; compare Apalaí ypy, Kari'na wypy, Trió pïï, Wayana ïpï, Waiwai ïpï, Akawaio wï', Macushi wî', Pemon wük.


dantadü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yantadü (“island”)


ku'jö

From Proto-Cariban *ikutupô; compare Apalaí ikuhpo, Kari'na ikùpo, Trió ikutupë, Wayana ikutpë, Akawaio iku'pö, Macushi iku'pî, Pemon iku'pö.


yedukadü

[ɟeɾ̠uːkaɾ̠ɨ]

From eduka (“to fall”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


tö'ju

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of töju (“stone, rock”)


dejushi

Electrophorus electricus
Electrophorus electricus#Translingual

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of dijushi (“the electric eel, Electrophorus electricus”)


shii

an indeterminate unit of time: hour, moment


shidichö

[ʃiɾ̠iːt͡ʃə]

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of sidichö (“star; a year’s time; any one of the points at which the fibers of a woven tray (waja) interlock”)


jejenchö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jejeichö (“wind”)


konojo

From Proto-Cariban *konopo; cognate to Apalaí konopo, Kari'na konopo, Trió konopo, Wayana kopë, Panare kano', Macushi kono', Pemon konok, Yao (South America) kenape.


wa'to

From Proto-Cariban *wapoto. Cognate to Yao (South America) ouapoto.


dudinñü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of udinñü (“fire, flame”)


widinchö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of wedenchö (“smoke”)


wedennö

From Proto-Cariban [Term?]; compare Apalaí oruno, Kari'na werùnòpo, Trió wïrïnë, Wayana ëluwëtpë, Pemon weruna'pö.


tüsochaamü

From t- -e (adverbializer) + soicha (“to scratch”) + -mü (patient nominalizer), thus literally ‘the one to be scratched’.


danwa

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yanwaa (“man”)


wodi

From Proto-Cariban *wôrɨti; compare Apalaí (w)oryxi, Kari'na woryi, Trió wëri, Wayana wëlïi, Akawaio wuri, Macushi wîri, Pemon wörü, Yao (South America) waryee.

(when possessed) female cross-cousin (of a man)


mude'kö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of müde'kö (“child, from the time when it learns to walk until puberty”)


danwa'kö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yanwa'kö (“boy”)


mudeshi

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of müdeshi (“youth, bachelor, unmarried but eligible young person”)


wodi'chö

[βoɾ̠iʔt͡ʃə]

From wodi (“woman”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


inño

From Proto-Cariban *nɨjo, *mɨjo (“husband”), with epenthetic initial i- after syllable reduction.


akono

Hall analyzes the final -no as a fossilized derivational suffix.

(in relation to a woman) younger same-generation relative in general


yaaya

older sibling; older sister or older brother

older same-generation relative in general


kooko

first-person possessed form of tamu: my grandfather


no'samo'kö

From no'samo (“old woman”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


waiñö'nö

head

waiñö'nö (obligatorily possessed; possessed waiñö'nöi)

(in relation to a woman) father’s sister, paternal aunt

(in relation to a woman) mother’s brother’s wife


jonü

jonü (obligatorily possessed; possessed jonü)

Hall analyzes the final -nü as a fossilized derivational suffix.

(in relation to a man) sister’s son, sororal nephew

(in relation to a woman) brother’s son, fraternal nephew

female parallel cousin’s son
father’s brother’s daughter’s son

female parallel cousin’s son
mother’s sister’s daughter’s son

male cross-cousin’s son
father’s sister’s son’s son

male cross-cousin’s son
mother’s brother’s son’s son


jonü

(often in the past possessed form) afterbirth; placenta and umbilical cord


ö'dümö

(in relation to a man) mother’s brother, maternal uncle

(in relation to a man) father’s sister’s husband


jannü

jannü (obligatorily possessed; possessed jannüdü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of janü (“son-in-law”)


kömusa'kö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of komuusa'kö (“son-in-law (of a woman)”)


könkwö

(Cunucunuma River dialect, diminutive) Alternative form of konkwö (“son-in-law of a man”)


tunkemjünü

From tunke (“nonorphan”) + -jünü (negative suffix), apparently with one more unidentified suffix in the middle.


kuushi

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of kushi (“pig”)


kudaimaadu

Crypturellus variegatus
Crypturellus variegatus#Translingual

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of kudaimadu (“the variegated tinamou, Crypturellus variegatus”)


jañudu

Ultimately from Spanish español, via an intermediary such as Kari'na sipanijoro or Pemon españoro, sipañoro.

a Spanish-speaker, sometimes in particular a malevolent settler or slaver in contrast with the potentially more benevolent yadanawi


yadanawi

Borrowed from Puinave [Term?]. Compare Baniwa yalanawinai, Carijona yaranai (“Brazilian”).

2008, speaker ‘Anl’ from Boca de Piña (ConvChur.016), recorded in Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana, page 144

She defends us there (in the city) from the way of being of the non-natives.

A non-indigenous person, Creole, sometimes in particular a benevolent Spanish-speaking settler in contrast with the malevolent jañudu.


dhanñami

(Cunucunuma River dialect) nest, nesting place


maadi

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of madi (“the capped heron, Pilherodius pileatus”)


demoshi

Harpia harpyja
Harpia harpyja#Translingual

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of dimoshi (“the harpy eagle, Harpia harpyja”)


jiyana

Buteo nitidus
Buteo nitidus#Translingual


kudumö

Cathartes melambrotus
Cathartes melambrotus#Translingual

the greater yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes melambrotus

Coragyps atratus
Coragyps atratus#Translingual


kudewa

orange-winged parrot
orange-winged parrot

Amazona amazonica
Amazona amazonica#Translingual

the orange-winged parrot, Amazona amazonica


kaichai

Pionus menstruus
Pionus menstruus#Translingual

the blue-headed parrot, Pionus menstruus


meeshi

Borrowed, perhaps from an Arawakan language; compare Chamicuro mishi.


dawade

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yawade (“the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis”)


na'kukwano

From na'kukwa (“in the water”) + -ano (nominalizer).


na'kwakano

From na'kwaka (“in the water”) + -ano (nominalizer).


o'taajö

From o'tö (“to fish”) + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer).


kawadiimö

Puma concolor
Puma concolor#Translingual

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of kawadimö (“the cougar or puma, Puma concolor”)


jödemu

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jade'mu (“giant anteater”)


yadakadu

From Proto-Cariban *tjawaraka, *tjawarakaru (“spider”).

the wedge-capped capuchin monkey, Cebus olivaceus

the tufted capuchin monkey, Sapajus apella

a zoomorphic basket design representing this monkey seen from the side on all fours, distinguished from wadishidi by the fact that its tail curls down rather than up


daamö

head

daamö (obligatorily possessed; possessed daamödü)

*dhaamö (alternative)
*yaamö (alternative)


modhoi

modoi (alternative)
*moyoi (alternative)

Brazilian wandering spider
Brazilian wandering spider

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) the Brazilian wandering spider, Phoneutria sp.


wannö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of wanö (“bee; honey”)


wedesede

From Proto-Cariban *werewere; compare Apalaí erere, Kari'na werewere, Trió werewere, Akawaio weruwe, Macushi ereuwe, Pemon weruwe.


ökkööyu

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of ököyu (“snake”)


kütto

a zoomorphic basket design representing a frog in the form of a rectangle with four forward-curving L-shaped legs

a kind of loricariid or auchenipterid catfish, the ‘chola’ fish, variously identified as Ageneiosus sp., Rineloricaria caracasensis, or Rineloricaria formosa


je'de

the yellow-spotted river turtle, Podocnemis unifilis


ji'jö

From Proto-Cariban *pitupô. Hall analyzes the final -jö as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.


jhunu

From Proto-Cariban *punu (“flesh, meat, body”).


ju'jö

From Proto-Cariban *uputupô; compare Apalaí upuhpo, Trió putupë, Carijona hutuhë. Hall analyzes the final -jö as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.

main subject or matter (of a story, etc.)


aaki

head

aaki (obligatorily possessed; possessed aakiyü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of aki (“blood”)


ye'jö

From Proto-Cariban *jôtɨpô (“bone”). Hall analyzes the final -jö as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.


a'kü

From Proto-Cariban *arokɨ (“tail, penis”).

person who walks behind others on a path, follower

person who follows another’s lead more broadly, follower


jedü

jedü (obligatorily possessed; possessed jedü)

From Proto-Cariban *pe (“forehead”) with the possessed suffix -dü.


je'dü

je'dü (obligatorily possessed; possessed je'dü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jedü (“face”)


önu

önu (obligatorily possessed; possessed önudu or enudu)


ö'ji

ö'ji (obligatorily possessed; possessed ö'jiyü or e'jiyü)


dedü

dedü (obligatorily possessed; possessed dedü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yedü (“tooth”)


nkawö

From Proto-Cariban *mɨka (“back”) + -wö (“at”).


a'jö

a'jö (obligatorily possessed; possessed a'jödü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ajö (“arm, branch”)


ö'mu

ö'mu (obligatorily possessed; possessed ö'mudu or e'mudu)


ömmi

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ömi (“fingernail, claw”)


i'jotü

From Proto-Cariban *tipotɨ (“hair”), with epenthetic initial i- after syllable reduction. Hall analyzes the final -tü as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.

feathers, hair, hide (of humans or animals)


do'ta

do'ta (obligatorily possessed; possessed do'tadü)

one of the several doubles or spirits (ökato) possessed by each person, namely the one said to reside in the heart, to be benevolent, and, along with the önu ekato, to animate a human being and return to the sky at death

(by extension) Synonym of ökato (“spirit, double”) in general


dojü

dojü (obligatorily possessed; possessed dojüdü)

From Proto-Cariban *pɨropɨ (“chest”); compare Apalaí puropu, Kari'na ỳpopu, Trió pïropï, hropï, Akawaio pïropo, Yao (South America) pyelapo.


öwanü

From Proto-Cariban *ôwanô (“heart, chest”). Hall analyzes the final -nü as a fossilized derivational suffix.


udunoi

udunoi (obligatorily possessed; possessed udunoi)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of udumoi (“stomach, viscera”)


jootü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jöttü (“intestines”)


jöttü

Hall analyzes the final -tü as a fossilized derivational suffix.


töinshi'jo

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of tönsi'jo (“cough”)


wawonö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + awo (“to swell”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


jaaja

From Proto-Cariban *papa, a nursery word in origin; compare Apalaí papa, Kari'na papa, Trió papa, Akawaio papa, Macushi papa, Pemon papa, Yao (South America) pape, as well as (from non-Cariban languages) Wayampi papa.


Odo'sha

Ultimately from Proto-Cariban *ijoroko (“evil spirit”) suffixed or compounded with an element that surfaces as -sha; compare Apalaí joroko, Kari'na ijoròkan, Trió joroko, Wayana jolok, Pemon iworok, as well as (from non-Cariban languages) Lokono jaloko, Sranan Tongo yorka.


adakujusa

Borrowed from Spanish arcabuz (“arquebus”).


wüüwü

From Proto-Cariban *wɨwɨ; compare Apalaí wywy, Kari'na wywy, Trió wïwï, Wayana wïwï, Yao (South America) oüoe.


jaanö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of janö (“hunting trap covered with leaves”)


weijüdü

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ei (“to be”) + -'jüdü (past action nominalizer).


ödajö

head

ödajö (possessed ödajö or edajö, possessed plural ödamo or edamö)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of öyajö (“master, ruler, chief; possessor”)


weichakono

Hall analyzes the final -no as a fossilized derivational suffix.


kö'tünnö

From kö'tümü (“to shout”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


a'deukwe

Apparently from a'deuwü (“to talk”) + -ke.


jiichu

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jiichü (“flute”)


yowanomani

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of owanomanei (“teacher”)


woowanomatojo

From w- (intransitive prefix) + oowanoma (“to learn”) + -tojo (instrumental nominalizer).


jadankaana

Alternative form of jadankana (“large bowl, vat, pot”)


jütadi

Borrowed from Venezuelan Spanish budare.

comal, smooth flat griddle or pan used to cook cassava bread


kümü'kö

From kümü (“machete”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


öwainshi

head

öwainshi (possessed öwainshiñü or ewainshiñü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of öwansi (“food, meal”)


shaaku

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of saaku (“sweet potato”)


chööjüdü

[t͡ʃəːhɨɾ̠ɨ]


chööjüdüjüdü

chööjüdüjüdü

[t͡ʃəːhɨɾ̠ɨːhɨɾ̠ɨ]

From chööjüdü (“flower”) + -'jüdü (past possessed suffix).


jomi

Capsicum frutescens
Capsicum frutescens#Translingual

spice, hot sauce prepared from the chili pepper


i'moi

From Proto-Cariban *pumo (“egg”), with epenthetic initial i- after syllable reduction.


ajö'müi

decorative armband tied tightly above the bicep


jüdodo

[hʷɨɾ̠oːɾ̠o]

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jüdödö (“yard, field, patio; street”)


jüdödö

[hʷɨɾ̠əːɾ̠ə]


ö'sa

the circular outer area of a village roundhouse (öttö), divided into rooms or compartments that each house an individual extended family

(in modern, more dispersed villages) house, home, or the collection of houses surrounding the öttö


jööjudu

head

jööjudu (obligatorily possessed; possessed jööjudui)

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of jojudu (“wall”)


inñaju'tajö

From nneju'tö (“to put up scaffolding”) + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer), with epenthetic initial i-.


amö'jüdü

[aməʔhʷɨɾ̠ɨ]

From amö (“to build”) + -'jüdü (nominalizer of completed action).


audaajö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of öddaajö (“conuco, large slash-and-burn garden planted in two concentric circles”)


öju'jö

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of jüjö (“seed; pip, stone”)


önña

Compare Wayana etnai, Akawaio a'nai, Macushi a'nai, Pemon anai.


kawai

Nicotiana tabacum
Nicotiana tabacum#Translingual


küdede

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of kiyede (“manioc, cassava, yuca”)


kankudu

Crescentia cujete
Crescentia cujete#Translingual

calabash, fruit or gourd of the calabash tree (Crescentia cujete)


öshichaadü

[əʃiːt͡ʃaːɾ̠ɨ]

Saccharum officinarum
Saccharum officinarum#Translingual

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ashichadü (“sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum”)


ashichadü

öshichaadü (alternative)
ashichadu (alternative Brazil)

[aʃiːt͡ʃaɾ̠ɨ]

(Caura River dialect) sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum


a'to

snell (line by which a fishhook is attached)


tüdütojo

From t- + üdü (“to do”) + -tojo (instrumental suffix).


wüüwa

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of wüwa (“hourglass-shaped carrying basket woven by women”)


wadiwadi

handheld fan twilled out of Ischnosiphon cane strips and used as a firefan and spatula


ööma

course or path in a more abstract sense; progression, succession, course

flow or pattern of speech or other sound, such as birdsong

conduit, tube, pipe, including musical instruments and vessels of the body


kanowa

Borrowed from Spanish canoa, from Taíno *kanowa.


ssoto

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of sotto (“person, human; Ye'kwana speaker, Ye'kwana, Maquiritari”)


akoicha'jüdü

From akoicha (“to end, to kill”) + -'jüdü (nominalizer of completed action).

termination point, limit of something, top, tip


aneja

aneija (alternative)
anejja (alternative)


waja

a flat circular basket used as a serving tray and plate


maami

Crypturellus cinereus
Crypturellus cinereus#Translingual

the cinereous tinamou, Crypturellus cinereus


sheu

South American coati
South American coati


maama

(Caura River dialect) first-person possessed form of nü


madaka

maraca, a gourd rattle filled with widiki crystals and used by shamans as a tool for their work


amoi

ritual pollution; taboo object or animal or action, or taboo matter considered present in an object, animal, etc.


deta

head

deta (obligatorily possessed; possessed detai)


woi

a kind of wild elephant ear plant (genus Xanthosoma), considered the most potent of all magical herbs (mada) as a defense against supernatural threats


tukui

From Proto-Cariban *tukuti; compare Apalaí tukuxi, Kari'na tukusi, Trió tukui, Wayana tukui, Akawaio tukui, Macushi tukui, Pemon tukui, as well as (from non-Cariban languages) Lokono tukusi.

the sparkling violetear, Colibri coruscans


kudai

the patawa or sehe palm tree, Oenocarpus bataua


ümü

From Proto-Cariban *jumɨ; compare Apalaí jumy, Kari'na jumy, Trió junme, Wayana jumï, Waiwai yïmï, Macushi yun, Pemon yun.


jatu

Cairina moschata
Cairina moschata#Translingual

duck
the whistling duck, Dendrocygna sp.


kudata

kudata (obligatorily possessed; possessed kudatai)

a kind of reed, Iriartella setigera, used to make the inner part of a blowgun


adai

the primeval prototype, progenitor, and culture hero of a given species of animal or kind of object; animal ‘Master’


saayu

broad wrist bracelet made of white beads


adudu

the black-tailed hairy dwarf porcupine, Coendou melanurus


adawa

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ayawa (“a tree, Protium heptaphyllum, from which a sticky transparent liquid is extracted; a torch, a light, typically made from this liquid wrapped in Oenocarpus bataua leaves; the bodypaint made from this liquid; bodypaint in general”)


akü

a kind of white worm or snake said to feed on the dead


kanwa

woven rectangular basket with a telescoping lid, commonly associated with shamans and used to store ritual objects


kadaiwa

Ultimately from Old Tupi karaíba (“great shaman, thaumaturge”; later also “European, Portuguese”). From the same source compare Taíno caraiba, Maku kalawa, kalamana (“white”), Guinau Baré kalaíua (“Brazilian”), Marawa Baré karaiua (“white person”), Pemon karaiwa (“Brazilian”), Macushi, Arutani, Xiriâna, and Trió karaiwa (“white person”), Yucuna karíwa, Wapishana kaɽaiwa (“Brazilian”), Ninam and Yanomam kraiwa (“white person”).


kadi'ña

Borrowed from Kari'na karìna, from Proto-Cariban *karipona (“person”).


kudiyada

Compare Kari'na kurijara, Trió kurijara, Wayana kulijara, Akawaio kuriyara, Macushi kuriyara, Pemon kuriyara, as well as Lokono koriara.


judunku

Dutch or more generally northern European person


yedü

head

yedü (obligatorily possessed; possessed yedü)

From Proto-Cariban *ô, *jô (“tooth”) with the possessed suffix -dü.


womjiiyu

Borrowed from Venezuelan Spanish bombillo.


yanwaa

yanwa (alternative)
dhanwa (alternative)
danwa (alternative)


yanwa

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of yanwaa (“man”)


yanwa'kö

From yanwaa (“man”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).

af

dhanwa'kö (alternative)
danwa'kö (alternative)


wötunnö

From a verb stem affixed with w- (intransitive prefix) and -nö (infinitive suffix). The stem is said by Guss to be ultimately related to a'deu (“word”), but this does not seem morphologically justifiable.

the mythology and stories of the Ye’kwana; the Ye’kwana oral tradition


sidichö

[siɾ̠iːt͡ʃə]

any one of the points at which the fibers of a woven tray (waja) interlock


widiki

small quartz crystal which is attributed shamanic power and kept in a shaman’s maraca after his initiation


wauj

(of water and hair) fwooshing, sweeping down


tüss

(of something big) falling, booming, crashing down


töju

toju (alternative)
taju (alternative)
tö'ju (alternative)


ajissa

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of ajisha (“the great egret, Ardea alba egretta”)


ajissaamö

the yellow-backed tanager, Hemithraupis flavicollis

the Venezuelan troupial, Icterus icterus


ödemi

Coordinate term: aichudi

long (2–3 days) communal ceremonial chant performed at major events and festivals to purify involved objects of ritual pollution/taboo (amoi)


akudi

Ultimately from the same source as Old Tupi akuti.

agouti, specifically the red-rumped agouti, Dasyprocta leporina


owanomanei

From owanoma (“to teach”) + -nei (agent nominalizer).


wiyu

a malevolent water spirit of fecundity that can take the form of an anaconda, a person, etc., and causes floods and kidnaps people as a creation of the water goddess Wiyu


ayawa

adhawa (alternative)
adawa (alternative)

a tree, Protium heptaphyllum, from which a sticky transparent liquid is extracted and used to make torches and bodypaint

a torch, a light, typically made from this liquid wrapped in Oenocarpus bataua leaves


öyajö

head

öyajö (possessed öyajö or eyajö, possessed plural öyamo or eyamo)

Hall analyzes the final -jö as a fossilized derivational suffix.

ödhajö (alternative)
ödajö (alternative)

Synonym of adai (“primeval progenitor and culture hero of an animal species”)


öddaajö

From addö (“to clear (a garden)”) + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer).

af

audaajö (alternative)
öudaajö (alternative Brazil)
ödwaajö (alternative Brazil)

(Caura River dialect) conuco, large slash-and-burn garden planted in two concentric circles


ko'momüdü

From ko'momü (“to draw toward evening”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


komomüdü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ko'momüdü (“evening, night”)


yantadü

dhantadü (alternative)
dantadü (alternative)


yanwadü

dhanwadü (alternative)
danwadü (alternative)


danwadü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yanwadü (“valley”)


yawade

From Cariban languages compare Kari'na aware, Trió aware, Wayana awale, Akawaio aware, Pemon aware, and from non-Cariban languages compare Lokono jaware, Sranan Tongo awari, Yanomamö aware.

dhawade (alternative)
dawade (alternative)

(Caura River dialect) the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis


a'nau

the pearly antshrike, Megastictus margaritatus


sasamadi

Opisthocomus hoazin
Opisthocomus hoazin#Translingual


künoto

the cornbird or crested oropendola, Psarocolius decumanus


kayuwai

→ Sanumá: kaiyuwe

Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Phalacrocorax brasilianus#Translingual

the neotropic cormorant, Phalacrocorax brasilianus


kadau

Daptrius ater
Daptrius ater#Translingual

Ibycter americanus
Ibycter americanus#Translingual

the black caracara, Daptrius ater, or red-throated caracara, Ibycter americanus


mashemö

the brown-eared woolly opossum, Caluromys lanatus


yukuni

(Caura River dialect) the yapok or water opossum, Chironectes minimus


wayaniki

the pale-throated sloth, Bradypus tridactylus


wadedata

Alternative form of wade'data (“Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni”)


jade'mu

jademu (alternative)
jödemu (alternative)

Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Myrmecophaga tridactyla#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla


ötö'kö

nine-banded armadillo
nine-banded armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus
Dasypus novemcinctus#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus


dijushi

Electrophorus electricus
Electrophorus electricus#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the electric eel, Electrophorus electricus


dimoshi

Harpia harpyja
Harpia harpyja#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the harpy eagle, Harpia harpyja


öttö

From Proto-Cariban *ôwtô (“house”); compare Kari'na auto, Wayana ëutë, Waiwai ïwtï, Akawaio öutö, Macushi ewîtî, Pemon autö.

communal village roundhouse or churuata, organized into a central ritual space (anna) surrounded by rooms for individual families (ö'sa)


ka'tükü

head

ka'tükü (obligatorily possessed; possessed ka'tüküdü or ka'tüküi)


ökato

ökato (possessed ökato or ekato, past possessed ökatomjüdü or ekatomjüdü)

possessed ökatomjüdü (past)
ekatomjüdü (past)

From Proto-Cariban *ôkatu (“shadow, spirit”). Cognate with Waiwai ekatï (“soul, shadow, picture, vital force”) and the first elements of Pemon ekaton, Kari'na akatompo (“spirit, ghost”). Perhaps compare also Trió eka (“name”).
An ultimate relation with aakö (“two”) has been suggested.

cog

spirit, eternal invisible double of a person, object, or aspect of society, which can appear in the form of an animal and whose wanderings at night are the source of dreams


udumoi

head

udumoi (obligatorily possessed; possessed udumoi)


jüwai

From Proto-Cariban *pɨjati; compare Apalaí pyaxi, Kari'na pyjai, Akurio piyahi, Carijona hiyači, Trió pïjai, Wayana pïjai, Akawaio piyaisan, Pemon piyai, Yao (South America) peeiai, as well as (from non-Cariban languages) Wayampi paye.


amode

From Proto-Cariban *amore. Cognate to Trió amore (“soul”), Akawaio amore (“soul”).

double or spirit (ökato) that can be controlled and directed, possessed by shamans and primeval animal ‘masters’ (adai/öyajö)


ömi

From Proto-Cariban *ômoi; compare Pará Arára amoe.


öwansi

öwainshi (alternative)
öwanshi (alternative Brazil)


janü

janü (obligatorily possessed; possessed janüdü)


komuusa'kö

From komu (“oldest child, son-in-law”). Suffixed with -'kö (diminutive suffix).

(Caura River dialect) son-in-law (of a woman)


kömu

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of komu (“oldest child (of a man), where ‘child’ has the scope of nne (sons, daughters, children of a brother or sister of the same sex, etc.); son-in-law (of a man)”)


konkwö

From komu (“oldest child, son-in-law”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).

af

(Caura River dialect, diminutive) son-in-law of a man


janö

(Caura River dialect) hunting trap covered with leaves


ja'se

head

ja'se (obligatorily possessed; possessed ja'se)

(in relation to a man) sister’s daughter, sororal niece

(in relation to a woman) brother’s daughter, fraternal niece

female parallel cousin’s daughter
father’s brother’s daughter’s daughter

female parallel cousin’s daughter
mother’s sister’s daughter’s daughter

male cross-cousin’s daughter
father’s sister’s son’s daughter

male cross-cousin’s daughter
mother’s brother’s son’s daughter


jetü

From Proto-Cariban *petɨ (“thigh”). Hall analyzes the final -tü as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.


jademu

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of jade'mu (“giant anteater”)


jojudu

jojudu (obligatorily possessed; possessed jojudui)


jonü'kö

From jonü (“nephew”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


katü

From Proto-Cariban *katɨ (“grease, fat”).


kiyede

Compare Kari'na kijere, Pemon küsere, Waiwai seere, Macushi kîse.

küdhede (alternative)
küdede (alternative)

Manihot esculenta
Manihot esculenta#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) manioc, cassava, yuca, Manihot esculenta


künnotto

künno'to (alternative)
kün'notö (alternative)

the common lancehead or fer-de-lance, Bothrops atrox


künno'to

Alternative form of künnotto (“the common lancehead or fer-de-lance, Bothrops atrox”)


kudaimadu

Crypturellus variegatus
Crypturellus variegatus#Translingual

(Caura River dialect and Brazil) the variegated tinamou, Crypturellus variegatus


kusshi

(Caura River dialect) a kind of lightly fermented drink made from cassava


mottoo

(Caura River dialect) a kind of long earthworm or caecilian used as a sacred food during major life events and at the end of any fast, and also for fishing


müdeshi

Ultimately from Proto-Cariban *mure (“child”).

müdesi (alternative)
mudeshi (alternative)

(Caura River dialect) youth, bachelor, unmarried but eligible young person


müdesi

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of müdeshi (“youth”)


müde'kö

From müdeshi (“youth”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).

(Caura River dialect) child, from the time when it learns to walk until puberty


no'shamo

Alternative form of no'samo (“old woman”)


sa'dada

Cognate to Hixkaryana sakarara, ultimately from a derivation of Proto-Cariban *tjakaw (“sand”).


udinñü

dhudinñü (alternative)
dudinñü (alternative)


wedu

Alternative form of weyu (“rays of the sun, summer, year”)


wüwa

(Caura River dialect) hourglass-shaped carrying basket woven by women


wade'data

Choloepus hoffmanni
Choloepus hoffmanni#Translingual

Hoffmann's two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni


adedei

Pyrrhura picta
Pyrrhura picta#Translingual


tununu

the genip tree, Genipa americana or Genipa spruceana

a transparent sticky oil or resin extracted from the genip tree, used as a black bodypaint when mixed with soot from the cassava grills (jütadi)


jü'jö

Blattella germanica
Blattella germanica#Translingual

the German cockroach, Blattella germanica


dichödichö

[dit͡ʃəːɾ̠it͡ʃə]

the white-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris


ye'kwana

Traditionally interpreted to mean ‘canoe people’ or ‘water log people’, from iye (“wood, tree”) + kwawö (“at (an aquatic object)”) + -ana (“people”) or similar components; however, in the modern language aquatic postpositions of the kw- series can only be used with bodies of water, and folk etymology may be at issue. Gongora (2017) additionally denies that a suffix -ana exists in Ye'kwana, though it is found in related languages and de Civrieux explicitly claims to the contrary that such a suffix does exist. Alternatively, the term may be derived from the proper name Ye'kwana occurring in Ye’kwana mythology. Monterrey (2012) additionally notes that some older Ye’kwana claim the term de'kwana to mean people ‘of the Amazon River dolphin’, the ordinary name for which is, however, muna.

dhe'kwana (alternative)
de'kwana (alternative)

(Caura River dialect) a Ye'kwana, a Maquiritari, a speaker of Ye'kwana or member of a Ye'kwana-speaking tribe


de'kwana

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ye'kwana (“a Ye'kwana, a Maquiritari, a speaker of Ye'kwana or member of a Ye'kwana-speaking tribe”)

ye'kwana

specifically, such a person who speaks a dialect with a separate phoneme /d/ or /ð/ where other dialects have /j/


yadaki

Ultimately from Arawakan; compare Proto-Nawiki *jalakʰi, as reconstructed in Jolkesky (2016).

caxiri, an alcoholic drink made from fermented bitter cassava


jöönö

Tinamus major
Tinamus major#Translingual

white-throated tinamou
white-throated tinamou

Tinamus guttatus
Tinamus guttatus#Translingual

the white-throated tinamou, Tinamus guttatus


yauja

the butterfly peacock bass, Cichla ocellaris


yaakö

From Proto-Cariban *irakô (“bullet ant”). Compare Wayana ilak, Kari'na irako.


kadiyu

the Brazilian squirrel, Sciurus aestuans


ka'shai

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ka'sai (“piranha”)


kadakadadi

Sarcoramphus papa
Sarcoramphus papa#Translingual

Cathartes aura
Cathartes aura#Translingual


kademedu

Compare Apalaí konomeru, Kari'na konomeru, Akawaio korïme, Pemon korme, Yao (South America) tonimerou.


kawanadu

Guianan cock-of-the-rock
Guianan cock-of-the-rock

the Guianan cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola rupicola


kanaimö

Either inherited from Proto-Cariban or a South American Wanderwort; compare Kari'na kanaimo, Pemon kanaimö, and, ultimately from the same source, English kanaima.

person turned into a monstrous or animal form and seized with a murderous rage

the practices, mode of killing, magic, etc. used by such a person


mawadi

Compare Kari'na imaware (“bush spirit”), Akawaio mawari (“evil spirit”), Pemon imawari (“nature spirit”).

Ritual pollution or taboo matter (amoi) found in fish and basketry materials, said to sometimes be visible as worms or parasites

A malevolent water spirit of fecundity that typically takes the form of an anaconda and causes floods and kidnaps people as a creation of the water goddess Wiyu.


ñayudi

Pteronura brasiliensis
Pteronura brasiliensis#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis


sichö

From Proto-Cariban *tikô. Compare Kari'na siko, Trió sikë, Wayana sikë, Apalaí siko, Waiwai sïko, Akawaio sikö, Pemon sikö, Macushi sikî, Sranan Tongo sika. Likely English chigoe, chigger, jigger are ultimately from the same source.

Tunga penetrans
Tunga penetrans#Translingual

the chigoe flea or jigger, Tunga penetrans


odoma

Cuniculus paca
Cuniculus paca#Translingual


du'kadi

udukadi (alternative)
duukadi (alternative)

white-lipped peccary
white-lipped peccary

Tayassu pecari
Tayassu pecari#Translingual


sakasakadi

the ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquata


sadodo

the neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis


sedede'shemö

[seɾ̠eːɾ̠eʔʃemə]

the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus


sidisidi

the spotted tanager, Ixothraupis punctata


shidishidi

[ʃiɾ̠iːʃiɾ̠i]

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of sidisidi (“cricket; a kind of cockroach; the spotted tanager”)


soosoowi

the moriche oriole, Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus


wasadi

Alternative form of wa'shadi (“South American tapir”)


tawadu

the nacunda nighthawk, Chordeiles nacunda

the ladder-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis climacocerca


tadademö

A kind of venomous snake. The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:

the South American bushmaster, Lachesis muta

Lachesis muta
Lachesis muta#Translingual

Hemprichi's coral snake, Micrurus hemprichii


tonodo

From Proto-Cariban *torono, with metathesis. Cognate with Trió tonoro.


to'sede

Aramides cajanea
Aramides cajanea#Translingual

the grey-cowled wood rail, Aramides cajanea


wayamu

the yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus

the red-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis carbonarius


wanadi

Perhaps named after the culture hero/demiurge Wanadi, as the bird is seen as one of his doubles (ökato), unless the culture hero is himself named after the bird.
Compare Tariana wanari (“anhinga; epithet of God”), Marawá Baré wanari (“anhinga”), Barasana wanari (“anhinga”), Guanano Wanari (“ancestral culture hero of the Guanano”). For the connection between a mythological creator and a woodpecker, also compare Baniwa kówhee, Yucuna kuwajé.

cog

the lineated woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus

the crimson-crested woodpecker, Campephilus melanoleucos


wadaijai

the curve-billed scythebill, Campylorhamphus procurvoides


wedama

the white-winged swallow, Tachycineta albiventer

the black-collared swallow, Atticora melanoleuca


wi'wiyu

Dendrocygna autumnalis
Dendrocygna autumnalis#Translingual

the black-bellied whistling duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis


ödemi edajö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ödemi eyajö (“master storyteller, singer, and ritual specialist in the Ye'kwana tradition”)


aichudi

Coordinate term: ödemi

traditional private song or chant performed to purify something of ritual pollution/taboo (amoi)


öttö edemi'jüdü

[əttə eɾ̠eːmiʔçɨɾ̠ɨ]

From öttö (“village roundhouse”) + ödemi (“song, chant”) + -'jüdü (past possessed suffix), thus ‘what was sung of the roundhouse’.

af

the several-day-long chant sung during the festival to inaugurate a new village roundhouse and eliminate the ritual pollution (amoi) present in its components


audaajö edemi'jüdü

[awɾ̠ʷaːhə eɾ̠eːmiʔçɨɾ̠ɨ]

From audaajö (“conuco, slash-and-burn garden”) + ödemi (“song, chant”) + -'jüdü (past possessed suffix), literally “what was sung of the garden”.

the several-day-long chant sung during the festival to inaugurate newly-cleared village gardens and eliminate the ritual pollution (amoi) created by their clearing


ödemi eyajö

ödemi eyamo (plural)
ödemi edhajö (alternative)
ödemi edajö (alternative)

From ödemi (“song, chant”) + öyajö (“possessor, master”) + -∅ (possessed suffix), thus literally ‘possessor of song’.

(Caura River dialect) a master storyteller, singer, and ritual specialist in the Ye'kwana tradition, one who has been instructed in all traditional chants by a previous ödemi eyajö


aichudi eyajö

aichudi eyamo (plural)
aichudi edhajö (alternative)
aichudi edajö (alternative)

From aichudi (“private chant”) + öyajö (“possessor, master”) + -∅ (possessed suffix), thus literally ‘possessor of song’.

(Caura River dialect) Synonym of ödemi eyajö (“master storyteller, singer, and ritual specialist”)


aichudi edajö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of aichudi eyajö (“master storyteller, singer, and ritual specialist”)


kajuwadödö

[kahuːwaɾ̠əːɾ̠ə]


kaaji

Banisteriopsis caapi
Banisteriopsis caapi#Translingual

ayahuasca, the vine Banisteriopsis caapi

ayahuasca, the hallucinogen prepared from this vine


wönwanö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + önwa (“to dance”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).

audaajö edemi'jüdü
audaajö edemi'jüdü#Ye'kwana

festival, celebration, especially the audaajö edemi'jüdü


wejannö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ejamü (“to increase in population, to multiply”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).

(usually of a place or group of living things) fecundity, fertility, growth, multiplication of life

the ability to produce life, fecundity, generative power

(Ye'kwana mythology) fecundity concretized in the form of a primordial egg (often the egg of a great tinamou), the source of life


shiichu ewüttü

From shiichu (“baby”) + ewüttü (possessed form of öwattö (“home, vessel”)), thus ‘vessel of the baby’.

possessed form of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">öwattö</i> (“home, vessel”)


shiichu wamodetatojo

From shiichu (“baby”) + w- (intransitive prefix) + aamödeta (“to transform”) + -tojo (instrumental nominalizer), thus ‘transformer of the baby’.


odo'shankomo

Ultimately derived from Odo'sha, with a plural suffix -komo.

(plural only) the people of Odo'sha, demons, evil spirits (other than those of the water)


adekato

The second element is ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”), with front-grade ablaut implying that it is preceded by either a first- or second-person prefix or a noun. The first element has been variously identified as either the allomorph ay- of the second-person prefix ö-, in which case the meaning would be ‘your spirit/double’; or else as related to the root found in adha'komo (“mortals, ephemeral creatures”) and adhe (“ephemeral”), in which case the meaning would be ‘ephemeral spirit/double’. In either case the predicted Caura River dialect form would have y instead of d.

dream (seen as the journey of the önu ekato (“eye spirit”) outside the body)

the önu ekato (“eye spirit”) itself while dreaming


önu ekato

head

önu ekato (obligatorily possessed; possessed önudu ekato or enudu ekato)

From önu (“eye”) + ekato (front-grade possessed form of ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”)).

af

front-grade possessed form of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">ökato</i> (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”)

reflection seen when looking into an eye

one of the several doubles or spirits (ökato) possessed by each person, namely the one said to reside in the eye, to cause dreams by its nightly travels, to be benevolent, and, along with the do'ta, to animate a human being and return to the sky at death


önu akano ökato

head

önu akano ökato (obligatorily possessed; possessed önudu akano ökato or enudu akano ökato)

From önu (“eye”) + aka (“at, in, on, to”) + -ano (nominalizer) + ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”).

af

Synonym of önu ekato (“eye spirit, reflection in the eye”).


ötü

From Proto-Cariban *ôtetɨ. Hall analyzes the final -tü as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.


ötü neene

head

ötü neene (possessed ötü neene or etü neene)

From ötü (“name”) + neene (“truly, really”).

the name given to a baby several weeks or months after birth, typically by elders versed in oral tradition, and used publicly until the age of 11 or 12, after which time the name is considered too intimate or personal to reveal


adha'komo

From adhe / a'ye (“while brief, short, ephemeral”) + -ato (nominalizer) + -komo (plural suffix).

af

(Cunucunuma River dialect, in the plural) mortals, ephemeral creatures


weyu

summer, the dry season (roughly February to April), the start of the annual cycle and season of clearing and planting gardens, hunting and fishing, and the start of new construction


weyu

Alternative form of wiyu (“malevolent water spirit”)


adawa'ta

From Proto-Cariban [Term?]; compare Kari'na arawata, Trió arawata, Wayana alawata, Apalaí arauta, Akawaio arawta, Pemon arauta, Macushi arauta.

the Colombian red howler monkey, Alouatta seniculus


öwanü akano ökato

From öwanü (“heart”) + aka (“at, in, on, to”) + -ano (nominalizer) + ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”).


shii ekato

From shii (“sun”) + ekato (front-grade possessed form of ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”)).

one of the several doubles or spirits (ökato) possessed by each person, namely the one said to have its home in the sun, to be somewhat benevolent, to oppose the nuunö ekato, and to return to the sun at death


nuunö ekato

From nuunö (“moon”) + ekato (front-grade possessed form of ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”)).

one of the several doubles or spirits (ökato) possessed by each person, namely the one said to have its home in the moon, to be profoundly malevolent, to oppose the shii ekato, and to return to the moon at death, where it suffers and burns forever, having absorbed all the evil thoughts and actions of the dead person


nuunö awono ökato

From nuunö (“moon”) + awö (“at, in, on”) + -ano (nominalizer) + ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”).

Synonym of nuunö ekato (“moon spirit, shadow cast by the moon”).


shii awono ökato

From shii (“sun”) + awö (“at, in, on”) + -ano (nominalizer) + ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”).

Synonym of shii ekato (“sun spirit, shadow cast by the sun”).


koijai ekato

From koijai (“night”) + ekato (front-grade possessed form of ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”)).


tuna awono ökato

From tuna (“water”) + awö (“at, in, on”) + -ano (nominalizer) + ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”).

one of the several doubles or spirits (ökato) possessed by each person, namely the one said to reside in the water, to be malevolent, to serve as an extension of the water goddess Wiyu, and to return to the water at death


na'kwaka ökato

From na'kwaka (“in the water”) + ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”).

tuna awono ökato
tuna awono ökato#Ye'kwana

Synonym of tuna awono ökato (“water spirit, reflection in the water”).


ökatomjüdü

From ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”) + -mjüdü (past possessed suffix).

ghost; one of the several doubles or spirits (ökato) possessed by each person, namely the one said to reside on the earth, to be somewhat malevolent, and to remain on the earth after death, wandering and visiting the places it saw when alive in the form of a bleating dwarf covered in jadi clay until another lifetime has passed


ökatomjö

From ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”) + -mjö (“former”).

Synonym of ökatomjüdü (“ghost, ex-spirit”).


tü'tajö'nö

From tü'tajötü (“to think”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


Ye'kwana

Dhe'kwana (alternative)
De'kwana (alternative)

(Caura River dialect) Alternative form of ye'kwana (“Ye'kwana”)


De'kwana

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of de'kwana (“Ye’kwana”)


anadeke

Ananas comosus
Ananas comosus#Translingual


weichü

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ei (“to be”) + -dü (action nominalizer).

Jdk. “Ye'kwana weichü natamei” ke wö'düadü.
Anl. ¡Yaatamedü!
Jdk. Tamedö natamei, wönwanö natamei, sü'na emi'chüdü natamei […]

2008, speakers ‘Jdk’ and ‘Anl’ from Boca de Piña (ConvChurB.018–021), recorded in Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana, page 337

Anl. It’s coming to an end!
Jdk. Everything has ended, the dance has ended, taking dogs hunting has ended […]

Jdk. I say that the Ye’kwana’s way of life has ended.


shokodododo

[ʃokoːɾ̠oɾ̠oːɾ̠o]

Coordinate term: taij-taij


ökünü

head

ökünü (obligatorily possessed; possessed ökünü or ekünü)

Hall analyzes the final -nü as a fossilized derivational suffix.


susu yaichuumadü

From susu (“breast milk”) + yaichuuma (“to blow, to bless”) + -dü (action nominalizer).

af

chant performed before a baby’s first breastfeeding to eliminate the ritual pollution (amoi) present in the milk


shiichu'kö

[ʃiːt͡ʃuʔkə]

From shiichu (“baby”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


ennujaicho

From ennu (“to be born”) + -jai (“able to”) + -ato (nominalizer).


ada'wai

the tapeti, Sylvilagus brasiliensis (or perhaps Sylvilagus parentum, as the species were recently split)


adenai

Caiman crocodilus
Caiman crocodilus#Translingual


nootü

Hall analyzes the final -tü as a fossilized derivational suffix.


aneija

Alternative form of aneja (“other, another”)


öyataajö

Derived from a variant form of aya'ta (“armpit”).


ayadi

adhadi (alternative)
adadi (alternative)

(Caura River dialect and Brazil) barbasco, any of several vines such as Lonchocarpus sericeus or Piscidia carthagenensis used as a poison for fishing


ö'wattö

Likely derived from ewa'tö (“to hang (a hammock)”).

ö'wa'tö (alternative)
ö'watö (alternative Brazil)


chukwamedawö

the start of winter, roughly May, when the construction and repair of houses is finished


konojawö

Presumably from konojo (“rain”) + awö (“at, in, on”).

the rainy season, roughly June to August, when cashews are gathered and significant trips and meetings are carried out


dadiweyudu

Presumably includes ade (“brief”) + weyu (“summer”) + -dü (possessed suffix), among other elements.

the ‘short summer’, roughly September to October


yatamedawö

the end of the year, roughly November to January, when large festivals and gatherings are held


wayana

Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbita maxima#Translingual

Cucurbita moschata
Cucurbita moschata#Translingual

squash, Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita moschata


jadudu

[hʷaɾ̠uːɾ̠u]

From Proto-Cariban *paru(ru); compare Apalaí paruru, Kari'na paruru, Akurio paaru, Carijona haru, Trió paaruru, Wayana palu, Akawaio paruru, Macushi paruru, Pemon paruru, as well as Sranan Tongo palulu.

Musa × paradisiaca
Musa × paradisiaca#Translingual


kadaota

Borrowed from Venezuelan Spanish caraota.

bor+

Phaseolus vulgaris
Phaseolus vulgaris#Translingual


majaya

Ultimately from the same origin as Spanish papaya, English papaya, Lokono papáia.

Carica papaya
Carica papaya#Translingual


jeyeichö

cush-cush, a kind of yam, Dioscorea trifida


wadaña

Dioscorea alata
Dioscorea alata#Translingual


jadadü

[hʷaɾ̠aːɾ̠ɨ]

a vine used in barbasco fishing, possibly Swartzia leptopetala


udukadi

Alternative form of du'kadi (“white-lipped peccary”) (Tayassu pecari)


yüwüdü

Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris#Translingual


akkuuja

the South American silver croaker, Plagioscion squamosissimus


wa'shadi

washadi (alternative)
wasadi (alternative)

the South American tapir, Tapirus terrestris


muudu

pacu (fish)
the tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum

pacu (fish)
the pirapitinga, Piaractus brachypomus


jadometa

Borrowed from Venezuelan Spanish palometa.

the silver mylossoma, Mylossoma duriventris


wokkiya

Penelope jacquacu
Penelope jacquacu#Translingual


shajoko

toucan, in particular Cuvier's toucan, Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri


sömajö

Likely from sooma (“to save, keep, reserve”) + -ajö (past participial nominalizer).

af

territory temporarily closed off to hunting to allow animal populations to recover


muwaju

loincloth made of colorful beads strung on cotton threads, traditionally worn and woven by women


shidiyo'ka

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of sidiyokwa (“long transverse necklace made of beads and seeds”)


sidiyokwa

(Caura River dialect) long transverse necklace made of beads and seeds


madudaimö

a kind of mahogany, Cedrela sp., used to make yuca graters


kadimani

the sorva or cow tree, Couma macrocarpa, whose sap or resin is used to repair canoes and affix metal teeth to yuca graters

a kind of brindled catfish somewhat larger than the aadajadaduwa


a'mamada

a kind of strong vine used to reinforce basketry. The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:


amamada

Alternative form of a'mamada (“a kind of strong vine used to reinforce basketry”)


minñaatö

a vine, Heteropsis (Araceae) spp., used as the raw material for basketry and the main material for tying and lashing in general


küdayü

the cricket-vine, Fridericia chica, whose leaves are dried and boiled to make reddish dye for staining gourds and basket strips


kanö

a tall cane, Ischnosiphon sp., from which the least sturdy and most flexible basketry strips are made


sunuji

Crescentia cujete
Crescentia cujete#Translingual

small gourd (typically either of the Cucurbitaceae family or the calabash Crescentia cujete)


kiyede weja'kadü

From kiyede (“yuca”) + w- (intransitive marker) + eja'ka (“to come out”) + -dü (action nominalizer), thus literally ‘the coming out of the yuca’.

public ceremonial chant (ödemi) sung by women during the audaajö edemi'jüdü festival while removing the yuca stored in the village roundhouse for future planting in their gardens


shiichu weja'kadü

From shiichu (“baby”) + w- (intransitive marker) + eja'ka (“to come out”) + -dü (action nominalizer), thus literally ‘the coming out of the baby’.

public ceremonial chant (ödemi) sung when bringing a newborn out of the village roundhouse for the first time, after its umbilical cord has fallen off, symbolically introducing it to the world


minñaatö yadadü

[minɲaːtə ɟaɾ̠aːɾ̠ɨ]

From minñaatö (“Heteropsis vine”) + yada (“finger, frame”) + -dü (possessed suffix), thus ‘Heteropsis vine’s finger, Heteropsis vine’s frame’.

a Heteropsis (Araceae) spp. vine of greater sturdiness, used to make up the frame of the outside strips of a basket


minñaatö tukatojo

From minñaatö (“Heteropsis vine”) + tuka + -tojo (instrumental nominalizer).

a Heteropsis (Araceae) spp. vine of lesser sturdiness, used to complete the outside of a basket and form its design


wadishidi

the white-bellied spider monkey, Ateles belzebuth

a zoomorphic basket design representing this monkey seen from the side on all fours, distinguished from yadakadu by the fact that its tail curls up rather than down


shecha'jüdü

[ʃet͡ʃaʔhʷɨɾ̠ɨ]

From sheicha + -'jüdü (completed action nominalizer).


tujumoto

From tujumö (“being together”) + -ato (“nominalizer”).


kenü

From Proto-Cariban [Term?]. Compare Kari'na ken (“river mouth, end”), Waiwai ken, Akawaio ken, Pemon ken.


kümütüdi

[kɨmɨːtɨɾ̠i]

termite nest of a particular kind of white termite, in which the placenta of a newborn child is traditionally buried


inchomo

Probably derived from or of the same origin as insho (“many, much, a lot”).


inchomo'kö

From inchomo (“elder, old man”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix). Compare insho'kö.


nono aküdü

From nono (“earth”) + akü (“a kind of worm or snake”) + -dü (possessed suffix), thus literally ‘worm of the earth’, ‘snake of the earth’.

a kind of caecilian or amphisbaenian roughly the size of a coral snake with a small, painted head, said to feed on the dead and be an omen of death, to cause bad dreams and loss of appetite in children, to plug up the mouths of baskets, and to be the master (adai) of all the earth spirits


wejumma

any ceremonial chant (aichudi) used to call or attract people to a place or person, for example to promote the growth of a village or to call the double/spirit (ökato) of a sick person back from death


wesankwa

any ceremonial chant (aichudi) used to dispel or drive away people from a place or person, for example to stunt the growth of a village


nonojo ajimadü

From nono (“ground”) + jo (“at”) + ajima + -dü.

a ceremonial chant performed as a baby learns to walk


yamüdu

toddler, child of about one to three years old


yaninajö

child of about four to six or seven years old


imuntajaicho

From i- (adverbializer) + munta (“to bleed; to menstruate”) + -jai (abilitative adverbializer) + -ato (nominalizer), thus literally ‘one (potentially) able to bleed’.


aji'choto

girl staying in seclusion after undergoing menarche


aji'choto weja'kadü

From aji'choto (“girl in seclusion after menarche”) + w- (intransitive marker) + eja'ka (“to come out”) + -dü (action nominalizer), thus literally ‘the coming out of the girl in seclusion’.

coming-of-age ritual for girls performed after menarche, intended to protect them from Odo'sha in a dangerous time and introduce them to adulthood


sudukuji

a kind of small catfish with small spines running the length of its body


wokü

From Proto-Cariban *woku (“drink”); compare Apalaí oku, Kari'na woku, Trió jokï, Wayana okï, Waiwai woku, Akawaio uku, Macushi woku, Pemon wok.


kudawa

a fiber rope made from this plant, used as a ritual whip

curare, a poison made from Strychnos toxifera


jode'kashi

barrier made of shin-high pales with ropes strung between them


ütaajö

From ütö (“to go”) + -ajö (past participial nominalizer).


wishu

Bixa orellana
Bixa orellana#Translingual

the annatto or achiote shrub, Bixa orellana, from which a red dye used for bodypaint is harvested

annatto, the dye or bodypaint obtained from this shrub


anejankomo

Ultimately derived from aneja (“other”), with a plural suffix -komo.

(plural only) non-Ye'kwana people, outsiders


wo'jüdü

(in relation to a man) father’s sister, paternal aunt

(in relation to a man) mother’s brother’s wife


jinñamo

head

jinñamo (obligatorily possessed; possessed jinñamo)

Hall analyzes the final -mo as a fossilized derivational suffix.


öiye

öiye (obligatorily possessed; possessed öiyedü or eiyedü)


jadüi

jadüi (obligatorily possessed; possessed jadüichü)

Alternative form of jadui (“younger sister or female parallel cousin”)


waiñüjü

waiñüjü (obligatorily possessed; possessed waiñüjüdü)

term of address for a brother-in-law (of a man)


yaaya'kö

From yaaya (“older sibling, older same-generation relative”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


akono'kö

From akono (“younger brother, younger same-generation relative”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


ödüya'kö

[əɾ̠ɨːjaʔkə]


ökkudu

head

ökkudu (obligatorily possessed; possessed ökkudui or ekkudui)

serum, serous fluid, clear liquid that drains from a wound


waadi ño'jüdü

[waːɾ̠i ɲoʔhʷɨɾ̠ɨ]

the southern tamandua or collared anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla


kajau

Dasypus kappleri
Dasypus kappleri#Translingual

the greater long-nosed armadillo, Dasypus kappleri


jaja'di

the southern naked-tailed armadillo, Cabassous unicinctus


wüdüwüdü

[wɨɾ̠ɨːwɨɾ̠ɨ]

Bassaricyon alleni
Bassaricyon alleni#Translingual

the eastern lowland olingo, Bassaricyon alleni


mashikidi

Leopardus tigrinus
Leopardus tigrinus#Translingual


shi'mana

Leopardus pardalis
Leopardus pardalis#Translingual


öjowa

Leopardus wiedii
Leopardus wiedii#Translingual


kawadimö

Puma concolor
Puma concolor#Translingual

(Caura River dialect) the cougar or puma, Puma concolor


mado jedü

From mado (“jaguar”) + jedü (“face”), literally “jaguar’s face”.

af

a basket design pattern resembling two square brackets linked by a center line (see image)


jakiya

From Proto-Cariban *pakira; compare Apalaí pakira, Kari'na pakira, Trió pakira, Wayana pakila, Akawaio pakira, Pemon pakira, Yao (South America) pockiero.


jüdü'kwa

[hʷɨɾ̠ɨʔkʷa]

Odocoileus virginianus
Odocoileus virginianus#Translingual

the white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus


kidishu

(Caura River dialect and Cunucunuma River dialect) a Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)


jache'tu

(Caura River dialect) the green acouchi, Myoprocta pratti


kajököimö

Boa constrictor
Boa constrictor#Translingual


kuyuwi

Pipile cumanensis
Pipile cumanensis#Translingual

the blue-throated piping guan, Pipile cumanensis


monse

Lichtenstein's green racer, Philodryas olfersii


shojj

gushing down, falling, as of water in a stream


koonenadii

Likely related to koneka (“to fix, solve”).


ödeja

Manihot esculenta
Manihot esculenta#Translingual

manioc, cassava, yuca, Manihot esculenta


ödüwö

Leptotila rufaxilla
Leptotila rufaxilla#Translingual

the grey-fronted dove, Leptotila rufaxilla


önñamomo

Pseudastur albicollis
Pseudastur albicollis#Translingual


ötükö

nine-banded armadillo
nine-banded armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus
Dasypus novemcinctus#Translingual

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of ötö'kö (“the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus”)


aajiyajö

From aaji + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer).


waamonö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + aamo (“to cry”) + -nö (infinitive suffix).


yeenü

(Caura River dialect) third-person possessed form of nü


seenü

third-person reflexive possessed form of nü


adakijisa

small basket with a rigid, wide-mouthed rim that serves as a handle and an open, hexagonal weave, used to transport small goods such as captive birds


adamajana

Likely derived from adama (“hook tool”).


ade'ju

terminal bud or leaf bud when still dormant and rolled up


asu'kaajö

From asu'ka (“to smoke (meat)”) + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer).


ajadajadaduwa

Alternative form of aadajadaduwa (“a type of small brown catfish”)


aji'choto'jato

From aji'choto (“girl staying in seclusion after undergoing menarche”) + -'jato.


ajoichojo

From ajöi (“to grab, to record”) + -tojo (instrumental nominalizer).


ammida

(Brazil) Alternative form of ammeda (“aimara”)


yedü aküdü

[ɟeɾ̠ɨ akɨːɾ̠ɨ]

From yedü (“tooth”) + akü (“a kind of worm or snake”) + -dü (possessed suffix), thus literally ‘worm of the tooth’.

dhedü aküdü (alternative)
dedü aküdü (alternative)

(Caura River dialect) a kind of caterpillar or small worm said to inhabit fruit and cause ritual pollution within it


amuttu

a kind of rush in the Marantaceae family used in making basketry


waicha

head

waicha (obligatorily possessed; possessed waichadü)


jadui

jadui (obligatorily possessed; possessed jaduichü)


jadaji

jadaji (obligatorily possessed; possessed jadajiyü)


ju'jadü

[hʷuʔhʷaɾ̠ɨ]

From ju'jö (“head”) + adü (“leaf”), thus literally ‘leaves of the head’.


kasakidi

spice or hot sauce made from chili peppers prepared with liquid expressed from the bitter yuca and toasted


matidi

a kind of basket used for processed manioc/manioc flour


aadeji

the Heart of Jesus plant, Caladium bicolor


na'dudu

From n- (transitive agent marker) + a'du (“to close, to cover”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


kö'tümüdü

[kəʔtɨmɨːɾ̠ɨ]

From kö'tümü (“to shout”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


naichüdü

[najt͡ʃɨɾ̠ɨ]

From n- (transitive agent marker) + aichü (“to plant”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


naudö'jüdü

[nawɾ̠ʷəʔhʷɨɾ̠ɨ]

From n- (transitive agent marker) + audö (“to clear (a garden)”) + -'jüdü (completed action nominalizer).

(Cunucunuma River dialect) conuco or garden not ready to be cultivated


no'tödü

From n- (transitive agent marker) + o'tö (“to fish”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


tünküi

matapee, sebucan; a yuca press in the form of a long tube of basketry hung from a hook and compressed by stretching the lower end with a pole, used for expressing prussic acid out of yuca pulp


tünküi yedü

[tɨŋkɨj ɟeɾ̠ɨ]

From tünküi (“yuca press”) + yedü (“tooth”), thus literally ‘teeth of the yuca press’.

tünküi dhedü (alternative)
tünküi dedü (alternative)

(Caura River dialect) elaborately constructed framework of poles with notches from which a yuca press (tünküi) is hung and stretched to press out prussic acid from yuca pulp


tünküi dedü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of tünküi yedü (“elaborately constructed framework of poles with notches from which a yuca press (tünküi) is hung and stretched to press out prussic acid from yuca pulp”)


öjai

head

öjai (obligatorily possessed; possessed öjaichü or ejaichü)

wooden stake used to turn the soil when planting yuca (large size) or removing worms (small size)


jatiya

Borrowed from Venezuelan Spanish patilla.


juya

head

juya (obligatorily possessed; possessed juyai)


wo'mo ansai

From wo'mo (“necklace”) + ansai (possessed form of ansa (“necklace”)), thus literally ‘ansa-necklace of the wo’mo necklace’.

af

possessed form of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">ansa</i> (“necklace”)


weetü

From Proto-Cariban *wetɨ (“feces”). Hall analyzes the final -tü as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.


otü

From Proto-Cariban *ôtɨ. Hall analyzes the final -tü as ultimately a fossilized derivational suffix.


deenü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of dheenü


wekatojo

From weka (“to defecate”) + -tojo (instrumental nominalizer).


tüwödönemjünü

[tɨwəːɾ̠ənemm̥ɨnɨ]


weijö

From w- (intransitive prefix) + ei (“to be”) + -'jö (“former”).


töju'kö

From töju (“rock”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


wötunnö'kö

From wötunnö (“story, myth”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).


tünküi'chö

[tɨŋkɨjʔt͡ʃə]

From tünküi (“yuca press”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix).

small press in the form of a tube of basketry for squeezing oil or poison from plant products


jadanka

Borrowed from Spanish palanca (“lever, leverage, handle”).


anejja

Alternative form of aneja (“other, another”)


ashichadu

(Brazil) Alternative form of ashichadü (“sugarcane”)


ettömujo

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of atamu'jö (“chin, beard”)


aya'ta'jotü

From aya'ta (“armpit”) + i'jotü (“feathers, hair”).


awanñodo

a kind of parasite about the size of an earthworm


ayawaichudu

Derived from ayawa (“Protium heptaphyllum tree, torch, bodypaint”).

(Caura River dialect) bodypaint made from ayawa used to ritually purify a child when the stump of its umbilical cord dries up and falls off from the navel


cheetüjüdü

[t͡ʃeːtɨhɨːɾ̠ɨ]

LIkely suffixed with -'jüdü (past possessed suffix).


dadü

front part of the torso; chest and abdomen


dedü aküdü

[deɾ̠ɨ akɨːɾ̠ɨ]

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yedü aküdü (“a kind of caterpillar or small worm said to inhabit fruit and cause ritual pollution within it”)


yuduwa

a kind of palm tree with a slender trunk from which blowguns are made, which is placed on walls at the edges of rooves, and which serves to make a support for growing yuca


deewiya

a kind of tree which, in mythology, had Waasani’s mane attached to it to form a liana


dijönö

a kind of insect that smells bad when crushed


shinñattö

a kind of liana used as a fiber cord for tying bundles of cassava


shi'chanü

new mother, woman who has recently given birth


settu

small sturdy vase-shaped basket made of minñaatö with a coiled handle, used to cage small animals and store peppers, cotton, and other goods


se'namo

a kind of deep infection of the genitals, skin, or face


sunamo

spice or hot sauce of the Orinoco River villages


sha'kwö

spice or hot sauce of the Cunucunuma River villages


siichamüttü

From sichamü (“to secure with a rope”) + -tü.


siichödü

[siːt͡ʃəɾ̠ɨ]


sinñaatö

Alternative form of shinñattö (“kind of liana”)


siwö

respiratory tube at the level of the neck seen when dissecting birds


siyawa

the violaceous jay, Cyanocorax violaceus


sokkojato

From sokoje (“being like mud”) + -ato (nominalizer).


sukutaka

yucuta, drink made with cornstarch dough soaked in water


duttö

hourglass-shaped basket smaller than a wüwa


müneju

From Proto-Cariban *mɨnepu; compare Kari'na munepu (“ladder, bridge”), Trió mïnepu, nnepu, Akawaio miye', Pemon müne'pu, münek.


maakö

From Proto-Cariban *masakô; compare Trió maakë, Kari'na mako, Wayana mësak, Apalaí masako, Waiwai masakï, Akawaio masa', Macushi masa', Pemon masak, as well as Sranan Tongo maku.


tüdüemü

From t- -e (adverbializer) + üdü (“to do, to make”) + -mü (patient nominalizer).

objects or artifacts made by the Ye'kwana, as opposed to those acquired by trade or chance


müsoma

objects or belongings acquired by trade or chance, as opposed to those made by the Ye'kwana


duusenawa

a kind of beverage (mythologically assigned to the anteater in the tale of Kamasi)


düjükü

a kind of fish found in Amazonas resembling a loricariid catfish, but with a large head and mouth


ökudajada

akudhajada (alternative)
akudajada (alternative)


kodokodomadi

From kodokodo + madi (“capped heron”). For the first element, compare English corocoro, Spanish corocoro, Portuguese coro-coró; ultimately onomatopoeic, from the animal’s cry.

Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Mesembrinibis cayennensis#Translingual

the corocoro or green ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis


wokiya

Alternative form of wokkiya (“Spix's guan, Penelope jacquacu”)


ka'dau

Daptrius ater
Daptrius ater#Translingual

Ibycter americanus
Ibycter americanus#Translingual

Alternative form of kadau (“the black caracara, Daptrius ater, or red-throated caracara, Ibycter americanus”)


ka'kawa

Amazona farinosa
Amazona farinosa#Translingual


onode'jö

Botaurus pinnatus
Botaurus pinnatus#Translingual


tada'kwa

Ortalis motmot
Ortalis motmot#Translingual


yaimaadi

yaimadi (alternative)
yaiñadi (alternative)

Mitu tomentosum
Mitu tomentosum#Translingual


uuwau

the capuchinbird, Perissocephalus tricolor


yuduma

Cairina moschata
Cairina moschata#Translingual


jadijadi

[hʷaɾ̠iːçaɾ̠i]

the ivory-billed aracari, Pteroglossus azara

the many-banded aracari, Pteroglossus pluricinctus


edudawa

a kind of hollow bamboo, Guadua latifolia, used for making waja baskets


jö'nö

white-throated tinamou
white-throated tinamou

(Brazil) Alternative form of jöönö (“the great tinamou or white-throated tinamou”)


taajui

a kind of house for being in when awake rather than for sleeping, found beside or in front of the village roundhouse (öttö)


taij-taij

Coordinate term: shokodododo


jüdata

Borrowed from Spanish plata (“silver, money”).


wedükü

From w- (intransitive marker) + edükü (“to have a fever”).


michü

From Proto-Cariban *mitɨ (“root”); compare Apalaí mity, Kari'na mi, Trió mitï, Trió mi, Wayana mit, Akawaio mi', Pemon mük.


jötü

From Proto-Cariban *potɨ (“beak, snout, point”).


jejeichö

From Proto-Cariban *pepeitô. Compare Kari'na pepeito, Trió pepei, Akawaio peseto, Yao (South America) pepeïte.


chooda

a kind of loricariid or auchenipterid catfish, the ‘chola’ fish, variously identified as Ageneiosus sp., Rineloricaria caracasensis, or Rineloricaria formosa


emöwi

The meaning of this term is uncertain. Possibilities include:


öönejünü

Apparently from ööne (“to be seen”) + -jünü (negative suffix), but the latter does not ordinarily attach to verbs; an additional adverbializer may be at play somewhere.

af

something that cannot be seen with the naked eye


ödü'ya

Derived from or otherwise related to ödümö (first-person possessed form of jadui (“younger sister or female parallel cousin”)).


önönei

From önöö (“to eat meat”) + -nei (agent nominalizer).


ömu

scrotum, ball sack (of a human or animal)


ötaku

From Proto-Cariban *ôtaku; compare Kari'na ataku, otaku.


ötüja

the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, Hypostomus plecostomus


öttüi

trading partner, person with whom one does business


shiñawe

any of two particular kinds of toad, one that lives in ponds and one that lives on land


daudawi

the great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus


dajaka

a kind of large tree used as a medicine for diarrhea


kuwanaweyu

(in ritual chants) Synonym of shiñawe (“a kind of toad”)


dakönaichu

a kind of tree used as a medicine for stomach pain


adhawa

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of ayawa (“a tree, Protium heptaphyllum, from which a sticky transparent liquid is extracted; a torch, a light, typically made from this liquid wrapped in Oenocarpus bataua leaves; the bodypaint made from this liquid; bodypaint in general”)


adhekato

The second element is ökato (“shadow, reflection, spirit, double”), with front-grade ablaut implying that it is preceded by either a first- or second-person prefix or a noun. The first element has been variously identified as either the allomorph ay- of the second-person prefix ö-, in which case the meaning would be ‘your spirit/double’; or else as related to the root found in adha'komo (“mortals, ephemeral creatures”) and adhe (“ephemeral”), in which case the meaning would be ‘ephemeral spirit/double’. In either case the predicted Caura River dialect form would have y instead of dh.

dream (seen as the journey of the önu ekato (“eye spirit”) outside the body)

the önu ekato (“eye spirit”) itself while dreaming


aichudi edhajö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of aichudi eyajö (“master storyteller, singer, and ritual specialist”)


ödhajö

head

ödhajö (possessed ödhajö or edhajö, possessed plural ödhamo or edhamö)

(Cunucunuma River dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of öyajö (“master, ruler, chief; possessor”)


ödemi edhajö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ödemi eyajö (“master storyteller, singer, and ritual specialist in the Ye'kwana tradition”)


dhantadü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yantadü (“island”)


dhanwa

(Cunucunuma River dialect, Yujudunña dialect and Brazil) Alternative form of yanwaa (“man”)


dhanwa'kö

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yanwa'kö (“boy”)


dhanwadü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yanwadü (“valley”)


dhawade

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yawade (“the common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis”)


dhedü

dhedü (obligatorily possessed; possessed dhedü)

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of yedü (“tooth”)


tünküi dhedü

[tɨŋkɨj ðeɾ̠ɨ]

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of tünküi yedü (“elaborately constructed framework of poles with notches from which a yuca press (tünküi) is hung and stretched to press out prussic acid from yuca pulp”)


dhedü aküdü

[ðeɾ̠ɨ akɨːɾ̠ɨ]

Alternative form of yedü aküdü (“a kind of caterpillar or small worm said to inhabit fruit and cause ritual pollution within it”)


dhee

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of iye (“wood, tree”)


dheenü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) third-person possessed form of nü


dhe'kwana

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ye'kwana (“a Ye'kwana, a Maquiritari, a speaker of Ye'kwana or member of a Ye'kwana-speaking tribe”)

specifically, such a person who speaks a dialect with a separate phoneme /ð/ where other dialects have /j/


Dhe'kwana

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of dhe'kwana (“Ye’kwana”)


dhudinñü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of udinñü (“fire, flame”)


küdhede

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of kiyede (“manioc, cassava, yuca”)


adhadi

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ayadi (“barbasco, any of several vines such as Lonchocarpus sericeus or Piscidia carthagenensis used as a poison for fishing”)


odha'kwököno

(Cunucunuma River dialect) skirt (as an independent article of clothing)


wadhada

(Cunucunuma River dialect) a kind of large tortoise


akudhajada

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of ökudajada (“gunpowder, powder”)


ijedü

Likely derived from jedü (“face”), if not merely a variant (the third-person possessed form?) of the same word.


tünküi dhedümmai

From tünküi dhedü (“yuca press frame”) + mma (“house”) + -i (possessed suffix), literally “house of the yuca press frame”.

af

(Cunucunuma River dialect) building where yuca is squeezed in a press (tünküi) and processed into yuca flour


tuna jedü

From tuna (“water”) + jedü (“face”), literally “face of the water”.


udutu

a kind of night butterfly said to be dangerous


insho'kö

From insho (“many, much, a lot; *old man”) + -'kö (diminutive suffix). Compare inchomo'kö.


önaku

From Proto-Cariban *ônaku; compare Kari'na anaku. Likely ultimately derived from Proto-Cariban *ônu (“eye”); synchronically as if derived from Ye'kwana önu (“eye”).


tooki edemi'jüdü

[toːki eɾ̠eːmiʔçɨɾ̠ɨ]

From tooki (“burden of the conuco-festival chant”) + ödemi (“song, chant”) + -'jüdü (past possessed suffix), literally “what was sung of tooki”.

what was sung of <i class="Latn mention" lang="mch">tooki</i>

audaajö edemi'jüdü
audaajö edemi'jüdü#Ye'kwana

Synonym of audaajö edemi'jüdü (“the several-day-long chant sung during the festival to inaugurate newly-cleared village gardens and eliminate the ritual pollution (amoi) created by their clearing; also, the fesitval itself”)


tooki

tooki edemi'jüdü
tooki edemi'jüdü#Ye'kwana

Clipping of tooki edemi'jüdü (“the several-day-long chant sung during the festival to inaugurate newly-cleared village gardens and eliminate the ritual pollution (amoi) created by their clearing; also, the fesitval itself”).


kadaijai

a kind of river spider used as bait for fishing


küdha'kwö

kudha'kwö (alternative)
kudhakwö (alternative)

spice or hot sauce of the Cunucunuma River villages


ku'nö

day or date on which something is expected or planned

time when something is to end, end of something, ending point


shadwajö

From saddö (“to toast”) + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer).


shoodü

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of soodü (“rapids”)


kumadü

From kuma (“to flood”) + -dü (action nominalizer).


kumaajö

From kuma (“to flood”) + -ajö (perfective past nominalizer).


'wa'tönei

From 'wa'tö (“to help”) + -nei (agent nominalizer).


jedi'chö

[hʷeɾ̠iʔt͡ʃə]


jaichiitu

(Cunucunuma River dialect) Alternative form of jache'tu (“the green acouchi, Myoprocta pratti”)


tönömü

From t- -e (adverbializer) + önöö (“to eat meat”) + -mü (patient nominalizer).

meat to be eaten, meat as food or as a meal