Záparo

Záparo, a member of the Zaparoan language family, was spoken between the Curaray and Bobonaza rivers in Pastaza Province in eastern Peru. At its peak, Záparo was spoken by about 100,000 people, but a combination of diseases brought by Europeans, wars with other peoples reduced the number sigificantly, as did the distruption and scattering of communities caused by the rubber industry.

In 2000 there only one of the 150-170 Záparo people spoke the language and a few elderly people had some knowledge of it. The other Záparo people now speak Quechua, but efforts to revive Záparo are currently underway and there are classes in two schools.

Záparo is also known as Zápara or Kayapwe, and is closely related to Andoa, Arabela and Conambo.

Záparo pronunciation

Sample text in Záparo

Kawiriaja kayapuina ichaukui ta nuka pucha panicha kupanimajicha cha nuka nishima ikicha kiniana panicha tamanuka kanata ikimajicha.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)