The Lodge we are staying at employees local people (unlike the large hotels in Lima and Arequipa). Our guide, Roberto, lived in the jungle until he was 12 years old before moving to Iquitos.
One of our expeditions included visiting a village where the houses are built on stilts to minimize the risk of flooding and attack from snakes. The Amazon can rise and fall 14 metres in a year, leaving some channels dry at some points and flooded the next.
We were introduced to one of the families and shown around their home. The kitchen was basic with a wood fire in the corner and the poultry living in the area beneath. When we were leaving they presented us with a couple of avocados (which grow wild), we couldn't´t refuse, it would have been an insult. Fortunately we had a gift in return a souvenir "London" pencil for each of the 5 children.
As we walked through the village we soon gathered a crowd of children following us. The children delighted in showing us things like a baby spider monkey and a parakeet.
On another day we visited the Yagua tribe. The Yagua men traditionally wear grass skirts and head gear which resembles log hair. Were they the "Amazon Women" that when the Spanish saw, prompted them to call the river by the same name?
The tribe is famous for its blow pipes used in hunting. About 6 ft long, they can fire a poison dart up to 40ft with a high degree of accuracy. The elders gave us a demonstration with all 5 missing the wooden target on their first attempt. We were offered a try. Keith hit the target on his second attempt and Jan got it on her first! Look out Keith!
One of our expeditions included visiting a village where the houses are built on stilts to minimize the risk of flooding and attack from snakes. The Amazon can rise and fall 14 metres in a year, leaving some channels dry at some points and flooded the next.
We were introduced to one of the families and shown around their home. The kitchen was basic with a wood fire in the corner and the poultry living in the area beneath. When we were leaving they presented us with a couple of avocados (which grow wild), we couldn't´t refuse, it would have been an insult. Fortunately we had a gift in return a souvenir "London" pencil for each of the 5 children.
As we walked through the village we soon gathered a crowd of children following us. The children delighted in showing us things like a baby spider monkey and a parakeet.
On another day we visited the Yagua tribe. The Yagua men traditionally wear grass skirts and head gear which resembles log hair. Were they the "Amazon Women" that when the Spanish saw, prompted them to call the river by the same name?
The tribe is famous for its blow pipes used in hunting. About 6 ft long, they can fire a poison dart up to 40ft with a high degree of accuracy. The elders gave us a demonstration with all 5 missing the wooden target on their first attempt. We were offered a try. Keith hit the target on his second attempt and Jan got it on her first! Look out Keith!
So they have lived in the jungle their entire lives and cant even hit a wooden post with a weapon they have spent countless years developing. Bring on globalisation!
ReplyDeletenow you know why they lost to the Spanish!
ReplyDeleteHello In my opinion you are wrong. Let's discuss it.
ReplyDeleteLet us know what you want to discuss.
ReplyDeleteHello Do not quite understand what is at stake.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is that of 2 white middle aged Brits who are trying to make sense of a wonderful world. As we have been writing longer our style has changed and if we went back to the Amazon now we would write a very different piece. One that would look at more of the disappearing culture of the Indians and their beautiful if, at times, deadly home.
ReplyDelete