Exceptional life on the floating island of Reed

Speaking of the Inca civilization. The Incas were occupying various areas to increase the state boundaries. They used to occupy Sesab by attacking different tribals. To protect themselves from this invasion by the Incas, the Uro tribes (the ancient tribes of Peru) invented a new way of living. Decided to live on the water. The floating island was made of reeds only. He built a house on that island. All living arrangements are made on the floating island.

If the Inca or the Spanish invaded, they could have swept away these floating islands. They did not have to lose their homes as they did in self-defense. Since then, people still live on this reed-floating island. Descendants of the Uro tribe have lived on the island for hundreds of years.

Reed Island

Strange as it may sound to hear 'living on a floating island of reeds', this is true. Houses have been built on the water by piles of reeds. It contains humans as well as domestic animals. Cooking is going on on the dry reed island. All the work of life and livelihood is going on.

Almost everything here is made of reeds. Just as the foundation of a house is made of reeds, so the houses are made of reeds. Furniture, boats, handicrafts and even medicines are made with reeds. The watchtower on the island is also made of reeds. The upper part of the island is uneven, thin due to the reed. Walking on it feels like walking on water! If you are careless while walking, you can slip in any slippery place and drown.

Where is this island?

These exceptional islands are built in the middle of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. The island is located a few kilometers from the Peruvian city of Puno. It is the highest navigable lake in the world. Its height from sea level is about 3, 810 meters. It is the largest lake in South America in terms of water.

Myth

Lake Titicaca is an island full of history, legends and mysteries. According to Inca mythology, it was the birthplace of the first Inca king, Manco Kapak.

Another myth of the Incas is that the ‘creator god’ was the sun, moon and stars that arose from this lake before creation. The lake is also named in the Atlantis legend. That said, there are cities lost under the water of this lake. However, researchers have found ancient temples under its water. Maybe there's an ancient city sinking beneath it.

How is this island floating?

This floating island has been built with Totora. Totora is a tall, fast-growing local reed. The dense and strong roots at the bottom hold the top.

These reeds are very light, but when put together they are quite stiff. They float because they are light. And because of its toughness, many heavy objects can keep this reed floating. This floating island has been created using this quality of reed.

Because the reed roots are perishable, more and more reeds are piled on top of the reef to keep the island afloat. More floating houses are built by stacking new reeds when needed. As a result, the size of this reed island changes regularly.

What's up Titikaka

Lake Titicaca is a must visit if you want to get a taste of pre-Columbian South America. The biodiversity here will fascinate anyone.

The lake is home to more than five hundred aquatic species. Among them are Pune ibis (stork), Chilean pink flamingo (swan) and frog. Surprisingly, each frog on the island is so large that it can weigh up to three pounds [3 kg]. Several parts of this lake are protected by the Titicaca National Reserve.

Living

Today, more than 2,000 Uro descendants live on these floating islands. Larger islands can hold up to 10-12 families. The smaller ones are 2-3 families. The Uro people living here have their own language, Pukina. But over time, that language is lost. Now they speak Aymara language.

You may be wondering- how is it possible to cook on dry reeds? Urora uses stone, earthen stoves for cooking so that the fire does not spread outside. There is a special type of toilet where the roots below the reed absorb this waste. The Peruvian government has provided several solar panels to the islands. This is the work of light, TV and phone charge. As a result, there is a touch of modernity here.

With good care, this floating island can last up to thirty years effortlessly. However, there is no fear of losing habitat if new reeds are added before the reeds rot. It is an ongoing process. Adding a new reed in place of the old reed becomes the same as before.

Food supply

Uro’s food and medicine almost all come from this reed called Totora. The white part below the reed supplies iodine. When these reeds are wrapped around the painful area, they absorb the pain. When it gets hot outside, Urora cuts the white part of the reed and puts it on her forehead. It feels quite cold. The white part is also used to cut intoxicants. Tea can be made from these reed flowers.

Another advantage of this floating island is that it is very easy to fish here. Fish can be easily caught by inserting a fishing rod through a hole in the reed. It's a lot like ice fishing with a fishing rod. If you want to catch more fish, you must go out by boat. These islands are ideal for fish conservation. The fish can swim in the water in the net only if the reed is removed and the net is tied in it. Urora can store more fish than it needs.

Earn income

The floating island is surrounded by the Bay of Puno. More than two thousand Uro descendants live on the island. Their main livelihood is fishing and weaving.

However, at the present time, their livelihood is also from the tourism sector. Urora fish for themselves. Excess fish sold in town. Urora also prey on different types of birds, such as gannets, ducks and swans. They also have various handicraft shops, the main buyers of which are tourists.

When and how to go

To visit this floating island of Uro, you must first visit the city of Puno in Peru. Buses to the city of Puno are available from Lima, Aricipa and Cusco. If you want to go from Bolivia, you can also go from Copacabana in La Paz. You can also take your own car, but being about four thousand meters above sea level can be a problem if you are not accustomed to the altitude beforehand. As soon as you reach Lake Titicaca, you will find several large reed boats. These boats can be easily reached from one island to another.

May to September is the winter here. And this is the best time to travel here. December to March is summer. It rains a lot at this time. As a result, rain can hinder your travel. But if you want to experience the popular festival de la Candelaria in Puno and Copacabana, you have to go in February.

Due to its high altitude, the temperature is much lower throughout the year. In winter, the temperature can drop below zero degrees. But summer here means but not so hot. At this time the temperature is around 16 degrees. So don't be fooled by thinking of summer, but take it with warm clothes.

Tourist pressure

Numerous tourists visit these islands every year. Wanders from one island to another. Enjoy the exceptional lifestyle and the beauty of the lake. As a result, these reed islands have to bear the pressure of innumerable people.

That's why keeping the floating island in order has become quite challenging for the residents here. It is very difficult to manage a large number of tourists. As a result, the residents have to come out of their daily lives and work harder to manage the tourists and keep the island in order. The tourism industry may have brought economic prosperity to the residents, but it has also threatened their traditional way of life.

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