Customs and culture of the Amazon region

amazon tribe

The Colombian Amazon Region is one of the richest in South America, both in its ethnic, cultural, scenic diversity, etc.. There are many people who decide to go there in search of emotions and good destinations To be able to enjoy a vacation that in another part of the world, it is simply impossible to find.  

The amazon region

amazon river in the amazon region

The Amazon region is located in the southeast of Colombia and is made up of the states of: Amazonas, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vaupés. The Amazon river and its surroundings belongs mostly to the Matto Grosso, in Brazil, which is known as the lung of the world since it is the most important source of oxygen for the planet, part of it is found in Colombia and it is for this reason that it is called the Amazon region.

Colombia is well known for its biodiversity in flora and fauna, the natural wealth provided by its characteristics of the different regions that make up Colombia and the Amazon region is one of them. The climatic and environmental condition makes this region rich in fauna and flora, different from those found in the Andes region.

The Amazon region occupies almost 40% of the territory of Colombia, it is also the least populated area of ​​the country. Its territory is flat with jungles, it has a huge part known as the Amazonian 'piedmont', because it is located right next to the eastern mountain range.

The Colombian Amazon is very rich

amazon tribe

The Amazon region is very rich in ethnic groups, while most of its population are people who preserve their customs, their language, their culture and also the traditions. They have always been living in harmony with their environment, working hard in the preservation of the Amazon. We can mention that there are the Nukaks (they are nomads), the Ticunas, the Tucanos, the Camsás, the Huitotos, the Yaguas and the Ingas.

Their food is obtained by native agriculture and they fish with special methods. In the Amazon region there are some exotic fruits such as cupuaçu, the arazá and the alligator. Within this region are the Andes, in addition, Colombia has 9 incredible parks to preserve the richness in biodiversity and to create a sanctuary for different species of plants and animals that live in the parks and are respected.

Some of the capitals of the states belonging to the Amazon region are connected through roads. They also have other links such as the river or the use of airplanes. This reduces the use of motorized transport by land and reduces the impact on the region and preserves the Amazon much better as a world reserve and may continue to be the lung of the world, something so important for all the people who live on our planet. .

For all this, the Amazon region is an ideal destination for all lovers of ecotourism, there will always be an incredible place to discover.

Customs and culture of the Amazon region

Amazon River in the Colombian Amazon

If you want to travel to the Amazon region, it is necessary that you know its customs and culture in order to integrate well as soon as you are there. The Amazon rainforest covers approximately 4.264.761 square km of South AmericaIt is more than a third of the entire continent making it the largest basin on Earth. It is home to around 400 indigenous tribes, each with its own culture, language and a different territory.

The predominant lifestyle

Traditionally, most Amazon tribes have a hunter-gatherer culture. They move to a new area every few years, but many tribes have lately preferred to have a more stationary existence. People live in communal buildings and share resources with their community.

Each tribe has its own language and its own culture (dance, crafts, songs, medicines ...). They can also have their own crops and often have initiatives to take care of the planet.

Their believes

Amazonas Jungle

Most Amazon culture practices some form of animism. This belief system sees the jungle as the home of spiritual life, with all the flowers, plants, animals… and they all have their own spirit.

The Yanomami tribe of southern Venezuela and northern Brazil often perform rituals and for this they consume hallucinogenic drugs that they create from the bark of a tree. Your goal is to be able to see the spirits.

Shamans use the power of spirits to heal tribe members and to ask that their enemies not hurt them. Shamans usually have a fairly sophisticated knowledge of medical conditions.

There are isolated tribes

archers in the amazon

Even today there are some isolated tribes deep in the jungle that remain totally outside the modern world.. They grow their own vegetables and fruits and hunt their own forest animals for food. The known tribes that were filmed from the air had their bodies painted in red paint, the men had long hair and appeared to be shaved.

These data were collected in 2011 thanks to Survival International, which released the images of this tribe on the border between Brazil and Peru.

There are ongoing threats

The native cultures of the Amazon are threatened by incursions into the field of mining, logging, cattle ranching and even missionary activity.. In Ecuador, the main threat comes from the oil industry, which clears large areas of forest to access oil reserves, something that leaves the land contaminated and the water poisoned. This is a great shame because human beings do not realize that in search of oil to seek money and power, they are poisoning our home, that is ... our world and ourselves.

If you want to visit the Amazon region and discover its corners, it is essential that you can find a good guide who knows the corners. Only in this way will you enjoy its charms without getting lost and knowing all the resources you have at your disposal.