How the Amazon tribes live

The vast majority of these tribes live in dense vegetation areaswhich is very useful to them when it comes to taking refuge and hiding. Their way of life is quite primitive, since they use very simple tools, made from bones, stones, wood or animal remains, with little knowledge of the metallurgical sector.

Obviously, they don’t have electricity or running water either, so make the most of sunlightusing the fire in the darkest hours to illuminate and, if necessary, as a source of heat and for cooking. As for the water used by Amazonian tribesthey use natural tributaries, such as rivers or even rainfall water, storing it in small containers made of wood and animal remains, such as turtle shells.

They can present different structures as housing, depending on the tribe or indigenous people that we are talking about. Thus, while some build wooden houses, others use the vegetation for shelter and some do not even have towns or buildings but maintain a nomadic lifestyle and live in continuous movement.

The food of each tribe It is also very varied, in the same way as its clothing, rituals, beliefs and customseach town has its own although some aspects are shared between some of the tribes.

The Kalapalos

They are located in different villages located in the Xingu Park (Brazil), their language being the characteristic of the region, Karib. In fact, they share it with some other tribes in the area, although they present small differences, with each of the tribes using their own dialect. They live on plains of land, surrounded by vegetation, in which they build large huts using tree trunks and dry branches.

One of the most characteristic aspects of this tribe is the practice of ifutisu, which defines their behavior and ethics. So, the Kalapalos have a non-aggressive character, words predominating over force, being at the same time generous and hospitable. Regarding their culture and customs, we can highlight a strong sexist separation in their way of life, with men and women carrying out most activities separately. However, in the practice of their festivals and rituals this separation is forgotten, using music as a means of communication and union.

The Yanomanis

They live in villages very distant from each other, most of them being in Venezuela and many others in Brazil, communicating in a language specific to their tribe, known as Yanomani. They live in small villages of between 40 or 50 people, building cabins with remains of wood and dry vegetation and placing them in a characteristic conical shape.

They have many traditions, describing several of the most important myths the creation of the world, the origins of their tribe and the birth of the earth the sun. Among their customs, the practice of cannibalism is striking, as part of one of their sacred rituals since they believe that the person’s energy resides in the bones and that, by eating their ashes, they obtain that source of vitality.

The piripkuras

Also known as “the butterfly people” due to the way they move through the jungles of Brazil. Their language is Tupi-Kawahib, which they share with other indigenous peoples. This is one of the most isolated tribes and has the least contact with other humans, so many data regarding their way of life are unknown.

This is because, according to the most current research, they have suffered severe devastation due to the activities carried out by foreign men, which is why they have been forced to remain in continuous movement, focusing mainly on their survival, losing their lifestyle, customs, rituals and beliefs.

Learn more about them and other Amazonian tribes in this other Evidence Network article in which we tell you who the indigenous peoples of the Amazon are.

Although the amazon tribes present great differences in their lifestylethey all retain something in common, and that is their lack of interest in maintaining contact with the outside world to their area or, if it is not a lack of interest in itself, their decision not to maintain this contact for protection, among other reasons. This is due to the disastrous result of encounters that have taken place throughout history, in which the outsider has destroyed and invaded their towns and subjected them as slaves.

In fact, today, this devastation is still present, due to the deforestation of their territories and the construction of dams and roads, which leads to the destruction of their habitat. Because of this, many indigenous peoples have been forced to abandon their homes and others are simply facing the situation, finding themselves on the brink of extinction.

Another cause of loss of indigenous population is, the transmission of first world diseases. It must be taken into account that they hardly have medical services and their immune system is not used to some viruses such as the common cold. Contact with man from outside the Amazon area has caused the transmission of diseases such as measles or flu, which have caused the death of a large part of the tribes.

For all these reasons, there are various associations that are responsible for promoting and protecting the conservation of indigenous peoples. Something that not only benefits them, but the planet, since they represent the best model of life that respects nature, protecting their environment and biodiversity.

If you want to read more articles similar to How the Amazon tribes livewe recommend that you enter our Indigenous Peoples category.