The PERUVIAN AMAZON

The Peruvian Amazon, the jungle region (selva) east of the Andes mountains, is bordered by Colombia to the north, by Brazil to the east, and by Equador to the northwest. The vast expanse of tropical jungle characteristic of the landscape of the Peruvian Amazon is laced with numerous rivers-the Ucayali, the Maranon, the Tigre, the Purus-some of which have their origins in the mighty Amazon. In this region land and water change as rivers find new channels, silt piles up to form new banks, and oxbow lakes are formed as the curve of the river becomes landbound.

The Indian inhabitants of the tropical forest traditionally exploited one of two ecological niches and ways of life: riverine and interfluvial. Those groups living along the large rivers developed a riverine way of life. Using dugout canoes they developed techniques that allowed them to take advantage of the abundance of protein-rich fish available in the rivers and lakes. Their settlements tended to be larger and more permanent than those of groups living an interfluvial way of life.

The groups originally adapted to an interfluvial existence, such as the Machigenga, the Sharanahua, the Shipibo, and the Cashinahua, exploited small streams for fish, but depended primarily upon hunting as their protein source. Their communities tended to be small as they moved frequently in search of game. At present, many formerly nomadic and semi-nomadic groups have begun to settle along the larger rivers and to adapt to a riverine environment. They have also begun to cultivate quick-growing crops such as maize, peanuts, plantains, bananas, as well as manioc.

Other inhabitants of the Peruvian Amazon include the selvaticos, Peruvian nationals who settled over the past century or so in tropical frontier towns such as Pucallpa, Iquitos, and Esperanza. These individuals were lured into the jungle either in search of rubber, minerals and oil, or to provide services for these explorers. More recently, Quechua-speaking Indians from the Andes have begun to move into the fringe region between the lowland and the highlands, in search of arable land. They bring with them their traditional beliefs as well as syncratic customs that integrate ancient customs with aspects of Catholicism.

Nancy Lutkehaus