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
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