THE HOUSE AND AgriculturE

Each community consists of various families; three or four families live together in one big house. In each community, there are also plots for growing crops. The families in the community share their crops as well as the animals they hunt.

Fields

The Achuar people clear small areas of forest for fields. First they girdle and cut down the trees. The vegetation is left to dry thoroughly, then it is burned and all the residue is gathered. The people then plant bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, etc.

Crops

Community fields are used for a combination of crops, including bananas, cassava, corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes, pineapple, sugar cane, star apple, avocado, cacao, etc. Women and children tend the crops. The crops in the plot are for one family, but they are shared with the other relatives in the community.

See photos of crops

Building a house

It takes about four months to build a house. The posts are wood. The roof is made of the leaves of a palm known as yarina and lasts 12 or 15 years. Between one and three families live in this house.

See video of making a roof