Introduction

The Cubeo language belongs to the Middle Tucano linguistic family. Other names for the language are: Cuveo, Kobeua, Kubwa and Kobewa. The Cubeo call their language pãmié and themselves pãmiva. Currently there are about 6,000 Cubeos. A Cubeo is a person whose father is a Cubeo.

Most of the Cubeos live in the Department of Vaupés in Colombia, although some live in Brazil. They inhabit the banks of the Vaupés, Cuduyarí, Querarí and their tributaries.

Cubeo also serves as a "lingua franca" for the northwestern region of the Department of Vaupes. Thus there are many non-Cubeo people who also speak Cubeo.