Uncontacted Amazonian Natives in Peru

An article in my daily Google Alert: Peru brought to my attention that there are still a number of uncontacted natives in Peru, and that the sanctity of their lifestyle has been under attack by various logging and development. There were rumors circulating that Peru's Culture Ministry might abolish the Murunahua Reserve, an allegation they have vehemently denied in recent days.

I was shocked to discover that there are a number of uncontacted tribes in South America,  in fact, 15 uncontacted tribes are documented in remote areas of the Peruvian Amazonion Rainforest.

Many, in fact, possibly all of the "uncontacted" tribes have had contact at some point in their history with missionaries, loggers, developers, other more modernized tribes, etc., but have voluntarily chosen to withdraw and avoid contact at all costs, which makes sense in a way when one considers that usually roughly 50% of the tribe members die after first contact due to diseases or violence. 

The Isconahua tribe was first contacted by missionaries in 1959, who encountered 25 Isconahuas living near the Brazilian border and lived with them for a year doing ethnographic research.  They documented that the tribe lived in the nude, adorning themselves primarily with jewelry and piercings.  A study in 1995 located 80 Isconhuas still living in seclusion, and in 1998 the Peruvian government created the Isconahua Territorial Reserve, consisting of 275,665 hectares (about 1,000 sq. miles).  However, anthropologists failed in making contact in 2004 and 2005, concluding that the Isconahuas fled to the Brazilian side of the border to avoid illegal miners and loggers who had trespassed into the reserve.  To make matters worse, the reserve was sold to  Pacific Rubialas Energy, giving foreign oil companies the ability to drill in the reserve.

In 2007, remarkable photographs were captured of the Mascho-Piro tribe, while a reconnaissance team was scouting the Alto Purus National Park for illegal loggers.  21 uncontacted naked natives were spotted on the river bank, as well as 5 recently construction palm leaf shelters.  Previous knowledge of this tribe was obtained when 100 members of the Mascho-Piro attacked members of nearby "contacted" tribes, who reported the incident. 

Although there are international and Peruvian laws in place to protect the natives, their existence is still endangered by illegal logging and oil-mining operations. It is devastating to think that the few remaining relatively untouched tribal groups are endangered by the greed of others. I hope Peru's laws are more strictly enforced and that these indigenous people's rights to live life in the manner they wish, free from the threat of outside diseases and violence, is upheld. 

Peruvian ancient mystery - Nazca Lines

While learning about Peru, I have become fascinated with one of their ancient mysteries - Nazca Lines.

Peruvian researchers in the 1920s, and pilots and air travelers in the 1930s began to note linear figure "drawings," geometric shapes, and lines stretching a plain between the Inca and Nazca Valleys, primarily visible from the air.  The largest of these designs stretches about 600 feet across, and there are a variety of figures - hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, sharks, llamas, lizards, and even a humanoid figure.

The designs were made by removing reddish pebbles to uncover whitish ground beneath, and it is generally accepted that the ancient Nazca people made these somewhere between 200 BCE and 650 CE.  Altogether there are close to 800 simple lines and geometric shapes, known as geoglyphs, and over 70 figurative designs, known as biomorphs.

Many people have speculated as to the significance and purpose of the Nazca lines. The general consensus is that the lines had some sort of religious meaning, and were related to fertility rites or had astronomical significance related to gods from the sky. Many believe that these gods were the intended audience and as the images made from the lines are intended to be seen from above.

One figure, nicknamed "The Astronaut" is a humanoid form with a pleasant demeanor, and is located on a hillside, and as such, would be visible from an earthbound standpoint. Some have raised the idea that the Nazca lines could relate to alien visitors, with the geoglyphs acting as a landing strip for alien vessels, and the aliens being deified by the ancient Nazca people. This has been dismissed by most scholars, with one counterargument being that the soil in the area is very soft and had a top layer of loose rocks that would not be conducive to landing an aircraft....but I think the aliens could have figured out a way to make it work....I'm all for alien conspiracy theories:)

There has been a great deal of study related to how the Nazca lines were created. One scientist, Jim Woodmann, theorized that the ancient Nazcas fashioned a primitive hot air balloon to give them a bird's eye view to aid in the creation of the lines.  To test his hypothesis, Woodman created a hot air balloon using materials and techniques that were available to the Nazcas at the time. The balloon hovered for about two minutes, and Woodmann's theory was dismissed by most researchers.

Other researchers have attempted to recreate the Nazca lines using simple tools with significant success. The video below demonstrates one such attempt and also provides some stunning footage of the Nazca lines.

Street Musician - Machu Picchu

The floating islands of Lake Titicaca

Located in the Andes mountains on the border of Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the world. It's also BIG...and here's my favorite fact...you can see it from space!

There are around 40 man-made floating islands in Lake Titicaca, home to the Uros, a pre-Incan people who have lived on such islands for hundreds of years. 

 To create the islands, the Uros cut a chunk of matted reed roots from the shore line, pull it into position, and anchor it using ropes and long sticks. They then build up layer after layer of dried reeds on top of the base, piling it as high as 4 meters. I watched a couple travelers' home movies about visiting the islands, and one of them likened it to walking around on an inflatable bounce house. The islands are usually home to 2 to 10 families depending on size, and the islands share a clinic, school, church and watchtower, all located on islands. The islands only last about 12 years until the reeds get too wet and they have to create a replacement island.

I am amazed at how much the Uros construct out of the reeds - not just the islands, but also boats and structures!  However, due to their limited natural resources, many of the islands have converted to be tourist sites, and modern life has crept in - it isn't unheard of to see TVs powered by solar panels and to hear radios. 

the end of Mayrocco - on to Peru!!!!

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my Mayroccan adventure...I absolutely want to go to Morocco!!!! Oh man, it looks so beautiful and I really liked some of the Moroccan food I made (which I'm sure was nowhere near as good as authentic versions would be!)

Even though May is over, I watched "The Man Who Knew Too Much" last night. Alfred Hitchcock directed Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day in this exotic and suspenseful mystery, and even though I hadn't seen it in years and years (thanks for showing it to me when I was a kid, dad!!!), it was great to see several memorable scenes that I had forgotten were part of the movie, plus I really enjoyed the footage of Marrakesh - souks, street performers, outdoor marketplaces, etc.

Here's one of the less suspenseful scenes in the movie that shows Moroccan dining (Jimmy Stewart's character is a bit out of his comfort zone:)):

Well, for this month I've decided to profile Peru. Here's what I know about Peru coming into the month - it is in South America, Machu Picchu is there, and I heard on NPR that they had an election today....I have much to learn!!!! Here's a few pix to whet your appetite:

Recent uprisings in Morocco

A police officer kicks a protester in Rabat 

Well, I can't end my May-roccan exploration without mentioning their recent unrest and protests related to the revolutionary fervor which has spread throughout much of the Middle East and Northern Africa.  Over the weekend, bloody street battles took place between protesters and police forces in Casablanca and Tangier, as well as numerous additional demonstrations in Rabat, Fez and other cities throughout the country.

In Casablanca, where an estimated 15,000 people joined in protest, police forces blocked off the streets and sent in truncheon-wielding squads in to subdue the crowds.

The government maintains that the demonstrations have been banned and that the police force's actions are sanctioned due to the protester's "provocative" actions.  Morocco has a history of allowing protests when they make formal applications to demonstrate, which the youth movement has not done.

European Union spokesperson Natasha Butler said "We are concerned about the violence used....We call for restraint in the use of force and respect of fundamental freedoms....We call on Morocco to maintain its track record in allowing citizens to demonstrate peacefully. We are following these demonstrations very closely, and encourage all parties to engage in a peaceful dialogue with a view to finding solutions to the issues raised by the demonstrators."  Protesters have been calling for more democratic freedoms and job opportunities, as well as improved social conditions.

In the midst of my celebration of Morocco this month, it is sobering to consider the violence and tension that exists throughout the region and the many Moroccans who have been injured and lost loved ones in the midst of their fight for the freedoms I so blissfully take for granted. I'm glad this blog has given me the opportunity to not only explore the cushy topics related to cultural understanding, but to also recognize the reality that many Moroccans face.

Moroccan dinner night! Best yet!!

One of my favorite parts of writing this blog has been researching recipes, discovering new markets, and creating cultural meals:) I checked a new grocery store out this month - North Park Produce - where I found tons of Middle Eastern products ( I almost bought sooooo much Indian food, but I kept myself in check and tried to focus on Moroccan items...but, mmmmm, I think an Indian month must happen soon!!!). I ended up picking up some orange blossom water for a dessert recipe, and some harissa, which is a hot chili sauce that is popular in Northern Africa. 

Moroccan dinner night was sooooooooooo yummy! This was the most delicious yet! Here's some pix and recipes:

First off we started with some flatbread, olives, hummus, and a Moroccan roasted pepper, cucumber and tomato salad that was super fresh and flavorful. yummmmmmmmmmm

The cousins and Kevin joined me for the feast:)

Dinner was delicious and consisted of a Moroccan-style veggie stew, spiced couscous with golden raisins and almonds, harissa yogurt sauce,  more of the veggie salad,  and some absolutely delicious Harissa and sesame potatoes.  Oh man, it was all delicious! The stew had a lot of herbs and butter and almost ended with a curry type flavor, and the couscous was a nice complement. I was blown away by the potatoes - my favorite part of the meal!

Dessert was M'hanncha, or "snake cake," a dessert made from a citrusy nut paste wrapped in filo dough.