Floating Through Life

Nestled in the Andes Mountains, straddling the border of Peru and (1) Bolivia—Lake Titicaca sits at an altitude of 12,530 feet. On the surface of the lake’s frigid waters live the Uros people, one of Peru’s oldest indigenous groups. Close to one thousand years ago, they escaped conquering empires by disappearing into the middle of (2) this on islands fashioned from woven and bundled totora reeds. To this day, the Uros people still hand-weave totora into houses, boats, artwork, and the “land” on which they live. Traditionally, the Uros have benefitted from a subsistence economy— (3) to fish the plentiful waters of Titicaca, to hunt native birds, and occasionally planting potatoes in the fertile, decaying totora reeds. They sustained this peaceful and relatively undisturbed lifestyle for almost a millennium until interest in their unique way of life at the end of the 20th century began to attract (4) tourists. The tourists came from around the world. Consequently, “authentic” island living is now atypical, (5) and the tourist industry surrounding the Uros continues to expand. 

The new economy has both helped and hindered the Uros: it challenges their traditional way of life but also (6) expends them opportunities. (7) Every year, around 200,000 tourists make their way out to the floating islands where they are entertained by the Uros people. Although between 1,200 and 2,500 Uros claim to reside on the (8) islands. Many now have apartments in Puno and boat “home” in the morning to welcome visitors. Motorized fishing boats often replace traditional, ornately woven totora (9) canoes; customary garments are less popular; and most of the Uros’ time is spent doing demonstrations for tourists and selling small handicrafts instead of maintaining the islands, hunting, and fishing. Further changes occurred after Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori toured the islands in the 1990s and gave each island two solar panels, which are used to power electronic devices, such as radios. While many Uros lament the loss of their traditional lifestyle, (10) others are happy to adopt some modern conveniences, like radios. They can now afford to purchase supplemental food and acquire necessary medicine for the ill. Additionally, their children now attend school where they study foreign languages and hospitality; this enables the Uros to increase revenue while asserting control over their own industry.

Although tourism has turned the Uros culture into a profitable curiosity, it also ensures its survival. Despite the changes, the Uros still call themselves kot-suña, “people of the lake.” (11)