Malibu languages


The Malibu languages are a poorly attested group of extinct languages once spoken along the Magdalena River in Colombia. Material exists only for two of the numerous languages mentioned in the literature: Malibú and Mocana.

Classification

The Malibu languages have previously been grouped with the Chimila language. However, Chimila is now known to be a Chibchan language, and Adelaar & Muysken regard the grouping of Chimila with the Malibu languages as "without any factual basis".

Family division

Rivet listed three Malibu tribes, each with its own language:
To this list, Loukotka adds six more languages, all of which are unattested :
Rivet gives a brief list of words from Malibú and Mocana. A selection of these is provided below:
  • tahanamanzanilla tree
  • malibu – chief
  • man – small boat
  • ytaylaco / yteylaco / yntelas / ytaylas – devil, deity
  • entaha / enbutaccassava