Zuni History

Shiwima Bena:we (Zuni Language) is a linguistic isolate. A linguistic isolate is a language that has no proven relationship to any other language. The Zuni community, while preferring to use their native language, has observed a shift towards English due to modern lifestyles and communication ease. Despite 83.8% of households speaking a language other than English between 2015-2019, a 2018 study showed 16% of Zuni Head Start students understood Zuni. However, more recent estimates suggest a higher percentage in 2025. The community encourages Zuni speakers to support others to practice the language, as many linguists predict the decline of many indigenous languages by the end of the century.