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Ethnic-racial reclassification and language revitalization among the Shiwilu from Peruvian Amazonia

Bibliographic Data

ID4179170
AuthorsPilar M Valenzuela, Patricia Valenzuela (0000-0001-6035-962X, Chapman University, corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume2010
Issue202
Publication date2010-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of the Sociology of Language (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0165-2516 • E-ISSN: 1613-3668
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1515/ijsl.2010.017
OpenAlexW2038524645
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited2

The Shiwilu, a.k.a. Jebero, are an Amazonian people from northeastern Peru. Although their population is as high as 2,000, intergenerational transmission of the Shiwilu language ceased decades ago; presently there are only a few elderly speakers. Due to significant loss of traditional culture, language displacement in favor of Spanish, and a high degree of intermarriage with the Mestizo (non-Indian) population, the Shiwilu were undergoing in the twentieth century a process of ethnic disintegration, being even considered part of the Mestizo peasant population. Surprisingly, an internal movement starting in the 1990s promoted the revalorization of Shiwilu identity and led to their reclassification as a distinct indigenous group. The Native language plays a strategic role; it is the only remaining, tangible cultural element that legitimizes the Shiwilu's claim to being an indigenous people and ensures their recognition as such by others. However, this historical moment coincides with what appears to be the imminent disappearance of Shiwilu. This article provides the necessary context to better understand the importance that the Shiwilu place on their ethnic language, and discusses the challenges faced by those working for its survival. Some of the points raised here may be applicable to other peoples in similar situations, both in Amazonia and beyond

Aesthetics · Amazon rainforest · Archaeology · Context (archaeology) · Ethnic group · Ethnology · Geography · Identity (music) · Indigenous · Peasant · Population · Sociology · Anthropology · Demography · Gender Studies · Indigenous Cultures and History · Indigenous Health and Education · Migration, Education, Indigenous Social Dynamics

  • “Simple” and “double” applicatives in Shiwilu (Kawapanan)

    Pilar M Valenzuela, Patricia Valenzuela•Studies in Language•2016

  • El uso del perfecto en secuencias narrativas en el español peruano amazónico

    Open Access•Margarita Jara Yupanqui, Margarita Jara et al.•Lexis•2013

  • Qué tan “amazónicas” son las lenguas kawapana? Contacto con las lenguas centro-andinas y elementos para un área lingüística intermedia

    Open Access•Pilar M Valenzuela, Patricia Valenzuela•Lexis•2015

  • La antropología amazónica de cara a la cuarta revolución industrial

    Open Access•Fernando Santos Granero•Anthropologica•2021

  • Shiwilu (Jebero)

    Open Access•Pilar M Valenzuela, Patricia Valenzuela et al.•Journal of the International…•2013

  • A Sketch of Muniche Segmental and Prosodic Phonology

    Lev Michael, Stephanie Farmer et al.•International Journal of American…•2013

  • Language Revalorization in Peruvian Amazonia, Through the Lens of Iquito

    Christine Beier, Lev Michael•Routledge Handbook of Language…•2018

  • Nouvelle Contribution a l'Étude du groupe Kahuapana

    Paul Rivet, Constant Tastevin•International Journal of American…•1931

  • Contributions of Racial-Ethnic Reclassification and Demographic Processes to Indigenous Population Resurgence

    Open Access•Stephen G Perz, Stephen G Perz Stephen G Perz et al.•Latin American Research Review•2008

Citations per year0.54
Citation span2013 - 2021 (9)
Highly citedNo

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