Kapóng is a Cariban language spoken mainly in Guyana, most commonly in the region of the Upper Mazaruni. Though many speakers do not live in villages, there are a number of population centers, notably Kamarang, Jawalla, Waramadong, and Kako. There are two dialects, Akawaio and Patamona. The Macushi name of the language is Ingarikó. History The Carib tribes practice an indigenous system of beliefs, one that dates back to the 16th century. It was not until the 19th century that attempts were made to understand the beliefs and practices of this tribe. Much of the Kapóng language refers back to sun worship and sun spirits, which is reflective of the beliefs system of these Carib-speaking tribes. Literature has also found belief in a higher being in the sky among the Carib tribes in Guyana. Geographic Distribution The Kapóng language is found to be spoken in lowland tropical South America, particularly in the countries of Guyana, Brazil, and Venezuela. In Guyana, Kapóng is spoken in forests by the Mazaruni River Basin. In 2013, a survey by the Inter-American Development Bank identified 20% fluency among Akawaio, which was the highest fluency rate among all sampled indigenous groups in Guyana. However, no indigenous language was in use by the Guyanese Patamona people in the survey. The number of speakers in Brazil is about 10,000, and the transmission of language in Brazil is deemed to be of good standing. Speakers in Brazil are found in the Roraima Indigenous Terra Raposa. In Venezuela, Kapóng is spoken in the states of Bolivar and Monagas. Dialects/Varieties Kapóng has three dialects, which are: Akawaio (Akawayo) Ingarikó (Ingaricó) Patamona Phonology Consonants The allophones of /k s n/ are [ʔ tʃ ŋ], as well as the allophones of /z/ being [ʃ ʒ dʒ]. Vowels Orthography Vowels and diphthongs a - [a] e - [ɛ/e] i - [i] ï - [ɨ] o - [o/ɔ] ö - [ʌ] u - [u] ai - [aj] au - [aw] ei - [ej] oi - [ɔj] Consonants b - [b] ch - [t͡ʃ] d - [d] g - [g] j - [d͡ʒ] ~ [ʒ] k - [k] m - [m] n - [n] ñ - [ɲ] ng - [ŋ] p - [p] r - [ɺ] s - [s] sh - [ʃ] t - [t] w - [w] y - [j] z - [z] ' - [ʔ] Vocabulary Much of the Kapóng language has emphasis on