How the Amazon tribes live

How the Amazon tribes live

By Dr. Kyle Muller

On the planet there are hundreds of Indigenous peoplesalso known as tribes, which live in isolated areas, finding most of them located in Latin America, especially in the Amazon region, which includes countries such as Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Guyana, Surinam and Bolivia.

These tribes live in a very different way from ours and retain customs and beliefs other than ours and, therefore, very curious for us. Do you dare to meet them better? In ecology, we tell you How the Amazon tribes live.

How the Amazon tribes live: summary

The vast majority of these tribes are inhabited in Dense vegetation areaswhich is very useful when it comes to taking refuge and hiding. Its way of life is quite primitive, since they use very simple tools, manufactured from bones, stones, wood or animal remains, without knowing just the metallurgical sector.

Obviously, they also have electricity or running water, so Sun light takes advantage ofusing The fire In the darkest hours to illuminate and, in the event that it is necessary as a source of heat and to cook. As for the water used by Amazonian tribesthey use natural tributaries, such as rivers or even water from rainfall, storing it in small containers built with wood and animal remains, such as turtle shells.

They can present different structures such as housing, depending on the tribe or Indigenous people We are talking about. Thus, while some build wooden houses, others use vegetation to take refuge and, some do not even have villages or constructions but maintain a nomadic lifestyle and live in continuous movement.

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

How the Amazon tribes live - how the Amazon tribes live: summary

Amazon tribes

The Kalapalos

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

One of the most characteristic aspects of this tribe is the practice of Ifutisu, which defines its behavior and ethics. So, the Kalapalos have a little aggressive character, predominantly the word on force, being generous and hospitable. About their culture and customs we can highlight a strong sexist separation in their way of life, developing most of the activities men and women separately. However, in the practice of its parties and rituals this separation is forgotten, using music as a means of communication and union.

Yanomanis

They inhabit very distant villages of each other, being most of them in Venezuela and many others in Brazil communicating in a language of their tribe, known as Yanomani. They live in small villages 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. It is striking, among its customs, the practice of cannibalism, as part of one of its sacred rituals since they believe that in the bones the energy of the person lies and that, when 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. Its language is Tupi-Kawahib, which they share with other indigenous peoples. This is one of the most isolated tribes and less contact with other humans, so, many data referring to their way of life are unknown.

This is because, according to the most current investigations, they have suffered a strong devastation because of the activities carried out by the foreign man, so they have been forced to remain in continuous movement, focusing mainly on their survival, losing their lifestyle, customs, rituals and beliefs.

Know more about them and other Amazon tribes in this other ecology article in which we tell you what are the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.

Threats and problems facing the Amazon tribes

Although the Amazon tribes present great differences in their lifestyleall of them retain something in common, and it is their lack of interest in maintaining contact with the outside world to its area or, if it is not a lack of interest, its 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 man from outside has destroyed and invaded his peoples and has submitted them as slaves.

In fact, at present, this devastation is still present, due to the deforestation of its territories and the construction of dams and roads, which entails the destruction of its habitat. Because of this, many indigenous peoples have been forced to abandon their homes and others, they simply face the situation, being on the edge of extinction.

Another cause of loss of the indigenous population is, the transmission of First World Diseases. Keep in mind that, these barely have medical services and their immune system is not accustomed to some viruses such as the common cold. The contact with the man from the outside of the Amazon area has caused the transmission of diseases such as measles or flu, which have caused the death of much of the tribes.

Therefore, there are several associations that are responsible for promoting and protecting the conservation of indigenous peoples. Something that does not benefit them only, but to the planet, since they represent the best life model respectful of nature, protecting their environment and biodiversity.

How the Amazon tribes live - threats and problems facing the Amazon tribes

If you want to read more articles similar to How the Amazon tribes livewe recommend that you enter our category of indigenous peoples.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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