Indigenous Communities, Amazon

The Amazon rainforest is home to 400 indigenous communities that have lived in the region for thousands of years. Experts believe that the first Amazon settlers arrived about 10,000 years ago, but it's hard to know for sure because there are no written records or durable materials like stone to analyze. Unlike the pyramids of Chichen Itza or the Incan citadel Machu Pichu, which are made of stone and more easily studied, the Amazon rainforest is full of organic materials that decompose over time, leaving no evidence behind.

When Francisco Orellana, a Spanish conquistador, arrived in the Amazon region in 1541, there were an estimated 8-10 million inhabitants. Orellana became the first European to navigate the length of the Amazon River, encountering many indigenous tribes during his exploration. Unfortunately, his expedition also caused the demise of many tribes because of conflict and the spread of diseases. Today, only about one million indigenous people remain.

Among the communities, at least 300 languages are spoken. All these languages evolved because of the isolation of the communities, who often live in remote and inaccessible areas. Over time, the tribes developed their own unique dialects and grammar. Sadly, many languages are becoming extinct because the younger generations prefer to adopt the country's national language, Portuguese in Brazil or Spanish in the bordering countries.

The communities are deeply connected to the forest and its resources, relying on traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, and sustainable farming. While the men hunt using traps, nets or spears, the women and children usually gather fruit, nuts and other plant-based food. Tribes practice slash-and-burn agriculture, where small patches of forest are cleared and burned to create fields for crops such as cassava (a root vegetable), maize (corn), and plantains (a type of banana). When the soil is depleted of nutrients, the tribe moves to another patch allowing the forest to regenerate.

One of the most important roles in a tribe is the shaman. This spiritual leader is the keeper of plant knowledge and communicates with the spirits. They maintain the tribe's traditions and beliefs, perform ceremonies and conduct healing rituals. As the wise ones, they are usually sought out for guidance and counsel.

Shamans are highly respected and well-versed in medicinal plants they use to treat various illnesses. Plants such as the root of the Wasai (açaí) tree are used for kidney health, while Suma (Brazilian ginseng) is used as a healing tonic, energiser and immune enhancer. There are more than 30,000 medicinal plants in the Amazon. The shaman passes their knowledge and experience to apprentices for future generations.

As mining, agribusiness, and deforestation expand within the Amazon, indigenous communities face significant challenges, such as losing their ancestral lands and their traditional way of life. Various efforts are made to address these issues, including establishing protected areas and promoting the rights of indigenous communities.