Indigenous Peoples of South America
The history of South America's indigenous civilizations is diverse and spans thousands of years. Their histories range from powerful pre-Columbian empires to remote villages in today's Amazon Rainforest.
Pre-Columbian Civilizations
The Chavin (900 BCE – 200 BCE) were located in the Andean highlands of Peru and were known for their complex religious and artistic traditions. Their influence also reached the Amazon as well.
The most well-known civilization of South America is the Inca Empire (1438-1533). They were the largest pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas with a population between 6-14 million people.
The incredible mountain city of Machu Picchu in Peru is an example of Incan civilization and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Their territory covered the Andes Mountains in northern and western South America. They had a complex caste system, developed technology and architecture, and built roads that are still in use today.
The Inca also developed a method of communication known as Quipu. It was a device that recorded information by using distinct knots tied along vertical cords and strings.
Other Indigenous Civilizations of the Andes
The Quechua people are spread across Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile. They have a rich cultural heritage with roots that date back to the Inca Empire. They speak Quechua, a language with various dialects.
The Aymara people are primarily found in in the Altiplano region of Bolivia, Peru, and parts of Chile. They have a long history, and their culture has pre-Columbian influences.
The Mapuche people are predominantly found in Chile and Argentina with smaller communities in southern Uruguay. They have a rich oral tradition and are known for their craftmanship in textiles and silverwork. They are also known for their resistance against Spanish colonization.
The Kichwa people are found mainly in Ecuador and parts of Colombia and Peru. Their cultural heritage includes traditional agricultural practices, art, and spirituality. They have been active in promoting and preserving their cultural identity.
The Uru people are found around Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia. Lake Titicaca is the largest lake by volume and surface area in South America, and the Uru people have created a unique lifestyle by fishing, reed boat building, and living on artificial islands made of totora reeds on the lake.
Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon
The Yanomami people are among the largest indigenous groups in the Amazon and have inhabited the rainforest for centuries. They live in the border region of Brazil and Venezuela, and practice subsistence agriculture, hunting, and fishing.
The Ashaninka people are another large indigenous group in the Amazon. They inhabit both Peru and Brazil and rely on swidden agriculture for sustenance. "Swidden" is also known as slash-and-burn agriculture and is a traditional way of rotating crops over several plots of land in a planting cycle.
The Matses, or Mayoruna, live along the border of Peru and Brazil and are known for their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants.
Inhabiting the Ecuadoran Amazon, the Waorani people traditionally practice hunting and gathering. They have faced challenges from oil exploration.
The Achuar people are found in Ecuador and Peru. They, too, actively resist oil development and maintain sustainable land use practices.
Residing in northern Brazil, the Waiapi people face threats from mining activities.
The Awa people are found in the eastern Amazon and in Brazil. They confront challenges from illegal logging and land encroachments.
These indigenous groups have faced various challenges over the years, including issues related to land rights, cultural preservation, and economic opportunities. Efforts are being made, both locally and internationally, to support their rights and preserve the cultural and ecological diversity of South America.