Numbers in Wayuu
Wayuunaiki
Numbers in Wayuu follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, which is common among many indigenous American languages. Spoken by approximately 305,000 people in Venezuela's Zulia state and Colombia's La Guajira, Wayuu's counting system is unique and complex. It combines multiples of twenty with specific words for units, and uses a combination of prefixes and suffixes to form larger numbers. The language's structure reflects its cultural emphasis on community and tradition, making its numbers both practical and culturally significant. Understanding the numbers in Wayuu offers insight into their worldview, social organization, and linguistic heritage.
Number system
Wayuu counting is primarily vigesimal, meaning it uses 20 as a base. Numbers 1-9 have unique words: waneeshia [1], piama [2], apünüin [3], pienchi [4], ja’rai [5], aipirua [6], akaraishi [7], mekiisalü [8], mekie’etasalü [9]. Tens are formed by combining the multiplier digit with 'shikii' (e.g., piama shikii [20], apünüin shikii [30], pienchi shikii [40]). For example, 16 is 'po’loo aipiruamüin' (10 + 6), and 24 is 'piama shikii pienchimüin' (20 + 4). Hundreds are formed with the multiplier followed by 'tua' and 'po’looin shikii' for 100, e.g., piantua po’looin shikii [200]. Compound numbers like 78 are built as 'akaraishi shikii pienchimüin' (70 + 8). Large numbers like 1,000 are 'miirü', and millions are 'miyon'.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits from 0 to 9
Digits 0-9 are unique words: seero [0], waneeshia [1], piama [2], apünüin [3], pienchi [4], ja’rai [5], aipirua [6], akaraishi [7], mekiisalü [8], mekie’etasalü [9]. For example, 3 is 'apünüin', 7 is 'akaraishi', and 9 is 'mekie’etasalü'.
Forming Tens
Tens are formed by combining the multiplier digit with 'shikii'. For example, 20 is 'piama shikii', 30 is 'apünüin shikii', 40 is 'pienchi shikii', 50 is 'ja’rai shikii', and 60 is 'aipirua shikii'.
Constructing Compound Numbers
Numbers between 11-19 are formed by prefixing 'po’loo' (10) to the unit with 'müin'. For example, 16 is 'po’loo aipiruamüin' (10 + 6), 17 is 'po’loo akaraishimüin' (10 + 7), and 19 is 'po’loo mekie’etasalümüin' (10 + 9). For numbers like 24, combine tens and units: 'piama shikii pienchimüin' (20 + 4).
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by multiplying the digit by 'tua' and adding 'po’looin shikii' for 100. For example, 200 is 'piantua po’looin shikii', 300 is 'apünüintua po’looin shikii', and 900 is 'mekie’etasattua po’looin shikii'. For numbers like 378, combine hundreds, tens, and units: 'apünüintua po’looin shikii mekiisalü shikii' (300 + 70 + 8).
Thousands and Larger Numbers
Thousands are formed by prefixing the multiplier with 'miirü' (from Spanish 'mil'). For example, 1,000 is 'miirü', 2,000 is 'piama miirü', and 9,000 is 'mekie’etasalü miirü'. Larger numbers like 109 billion are 'miyaatta' or 'miituasü miyonniirua', and 1012 trillion is 'piyon' or 'miituasü miirüin miyonniirua'.
Unique features
Wayuu uses a vigesimal system, with numbers like 20 ('piama shikii') and 40 ('pienchi shikii'), showing its base-20 structure.
Unlike many languages that are decimal, Wayuu combines units and multiples of twenty, similar to Mayan numerals.
The number 16 is 'po’loo aipiruamüin', combining 10 and 6, illustrating how compound numbers are formed with 'müin'.
Large numbers like 'piyon' for trillion are borrowed from Spanish, reflecting cultural contact.
The structure for 100 ('po’loo shikii') and 1,000 ('miirü') shows a clear pattern of combining smaller units into larger ones, typical of vigesimal systems.
Cultural context
The Wayuu people inhabit the arid regions of northern Colombia and Venezuela, primarily in La Guajira and Zulia. Their culture emphasizes community, oral traditions, and craftsmanship like weaving. Numbers are vital in daily life, from counting livestock to trade and rituals. For example, counting large herds or trading goods involves their vigesimal system. Certain numbers, like 13 ('po’loo apünüinmüin'), may hold cultural significance, though specific taboos are not well documented. Their counting system reflects their adaptation to their environment and social organization, emphasizing the importance of community and tradition in their linguistic heritage.
Fun facts
The number 16, 'po’loo aipiruamüin', combines 10 and 6, illustrating the vigesimal pattern.
Compared to English, which is decimal, Wayuu's use of 20 as a base is similar to the Mayan system, showing independent development of vigesimal counting.
The formation of 78 as 'akaraishi shikii pienchimüin' (70 + 8) demonstrates how compound numbers are built from smaller units.
Historically, the loanword 'miirü' for 1,000 reflects Spanish influence during colonial times.
Wayuu can express very large numbers like 'piyon' (trillion), showing the language's capacity for large-scale counting, often used in trade or historical contexts.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Wayuu?
1 - waneeshia, 2 - piama, 3 - apünüin, 4 - pienchi, 5 - ja’rai, 6 - aipirua, 7 - akaraishi, 8 - mekiisalü, 9 - mekie’etasalü, 10 - po’loo.
What number base does Wayuu use?
Wayuu uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by words like 'piama shikii' for 20, 'apünüin shikii' for 30, and the formation of numbers like 16 ('po’loo aipiruamüin') which combines 10 and 6.
How do you say 42 in Wayuu?
42 is 'piama shikii pienchimüin' (20 + 4), combining the word for 20 with the units 4, following the pattern for compound numbers.
How do you say 100 in Wayuu?
100 is 'po’loo shikii', a straightforward term for 10 times 10, with larger hundreds formed by prefixing the multiplier with 'tua' and adding 'po’looin shikii'.
How many people speak Wayuu?
Approximately 305,000 people speak Wayuu, primarily in Venezuela's Zulia state and Colombia's La Guajira.
Is Wayuu related to other languages?
Yes, Wayuu belongs to the Arawakan language family, which includes many indigenous languages across South America.
What makes Wayuu counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, combining units with multiples of twenty, and the use of loanwords like 'miirü' for 1,000, make its counting system distinctive among indigenous languages.
Sources
- Diccionario de computación en wayuunaiki, by José Álvarez (2011), in Spanish