- Cocamilla
- Cocama
Integrating Language Documentation, Language Preservation, and Linguistic Research: Working with the Kokamas from the Amazon
Speaker Number Trend 5
A small percentage of the community speaks the language, and speaker numbers are decreasing very rapidly.
Domain Of Use 5
Used only in a few very specific domains, such as in ceremonies, songs, prayer, proverbs, or certain limited domestic activities.
Transmission 4
Many of the grandparent generation speak the language, but younger people generally do not.
Speakers
Location and Context
"The Kokama people live in the Peruvian Amazon, approximately between 3 ̊ to 5 ̊ south latitude, and 73 ̊ to 76 ̊ west longitude. Kokama communities are located on the upper Amazon River and several of its major tributaries, including the Huallaga, Marañon, Ucayali, Nanay, and Itaya rivers. The estimated 120 Kokama villages are located in the Peruvian department of Loreto, specifically in the provinces of Maynas, Alto Amazonas, Requena, Maquia and Ucayali. A considerable number of Kokamas now reside in cities within Loreto, such as Iquitos and Yurimaguas, and midsize towns like Lagunas, Nauta, Requena, among others."
FORMABIAP [Programa de Formación de Maestros Bilingues de la Amazonía Peruana], but this initiative is by no means part of a plan by the government to protect endangered languages."