Tag: Uros

Discover the floating Uros Reed Islands in Peru The Uros reed islands are among the most fascinating cultural destinations in South America. Floating peacefully on the shimmering waters of Lake Titicaca near the city of Puno, these handmade islands represent centuries of tradition, resilience, and innovation. Visitors from around the world travel to Peru to experience the unique lifestyle of the Uros people and explore one of the most extraordinary communities on Earth. The history of the Uros It is believed that the Uros culture originated around 1500 BC. What is not clear is if they originated from the Amazon, before settling on the shores of Lake Titicaca. If they already lived on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 1500 BC, it would make them one of the oldest civilisations of the Altiplano (High Plateau) However, unlike most ancient peoples in the Andes, the Uros were not farmers, but fishermen and hunters. Uru means: “those who fish and hunt” in their original, unfortunately lost language. Nowadays, they speak mostly Aymara, like many peoples on the high plateau. The Uros and their reed For many, many, years the Uros lived mainly from fishing, hunting waterfowl, collecting eggs, and Totora reeds. The latter literally and figuratively, since they used these reeds to build their boats, houses and even to eat. Totora reed grows abundantly at the shores of Lake Titicaca. It taste a bit like palm stalks, are rich in fiber and healthy, and are nowadays even transported from Peru to the Netherlands. Besides that, the cooling effect of freshly peeled totora reed stalks even seem to help with lowering fever. Floating reed islands Fleeing from the Incas, the Uros initially lived on reed boats tied together. After observing floating totora reed blocks after a storm, they discovered the great buoyance of