Native American Civilizations: Amazonian Tribes--The Shuar / Jivaro (Ecuador/Peru)

Shuar
Figure 1.--The Shuar/Jivaro are an ethnic group that lives in Amazonian border areas of Ecuador and Peru. In Ecuador they have become substabtially assimilated usually they wear western-style clothing. In the more remote Peruvian rainforest many still live in a more traditional way.

The Shuar/Jivaro people are the second largest and one of the best-known Amazonian Native American tribal groups. They have an extensive history of struggle against outsiders, beginning even before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores. As a result, they have been labeled headhunters and savages. Their homeland is in Ecuador anbd Peru. In Ecuador they are found in the southeast between the Pastaza and Marańón Rivers. They are also inhabit areas to the east in neighboring Peru. The Ecuadorean population is more assimilated. This is directly over the mountains from the beautiful city of Cuenca. (Cuenca was where Inca Wayna Qhapaq (Atawalpa and Husascar's father) commanded the campaign against the primitive people west of the Andes of the tropical forests in the Guayas Basin.) The area west of the Andes has been fought over by Ecuador and Peru. The principal war left Peru in possession of much of the far westerm Amazonian including the most remote areas. The location has to some extent protected the Shuar in Peru from outsiders. The escarpment of the Andes presented a barrier to the west and unnavigable rapids to the east. The word Shuar as is the case of many Amazonian people means "people". The more common name in Ecuador has been Jívaro or Jibaro. The Shar do not like the term because it is foreign and in Ecuador has a strong association with head hunting. Salesian missionaries assisted the Shuar to found the first ethnic federation in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Many Shuar have assimilated and now wear Western clothing. An example is an unidentified Ecuadorian boy.

History

The Shuar/Jivaro people are the second largest and one of the best-known Amazonian Native American tribal groups. They have an extensive history of struggle against outsiders, beginning even before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores. As a result, they have been labeled headhunters and savages. Both the Inca and Spanish had difficulty conquering the Shuar because of their ability to melt into the jungle when attacked.

Location

Their homeland is in Ecuador anbd Peru. In Ecuador they are found in the southeast between the Pastaza and Marańón Rivers. They are also inhabit areas to the east in neighboring Peru. The Ecuadorean population is more assimilated. This is directly over the mountains from the beautiful city of Cuenca. (Cuenca was where Inca Wayna Qhapaq (Atawalpa and Husascar's father) commanded the campaign against the primitive people west of the Andes of the tropical forests in the Guayas Basin.) The escarpment of the Andes presented a barrier to the west and unnavigable rapids to the east. The area is a rocky region located along the eastern slopes of the Andes. The Shuar in Peru lice in the basins of the Santiago, Yaupi, Zamora, and Morona rivers. The Achuar live in the border areas of huar and Huambisa along the Pastaza River.

Ecuador/Peru

At the time of indepoenence, the Ecuadorean border was not well dfined. It had not been a matter of much importance during wither the Inca era or the Spsanish colonial era. The Amazonian area west of the Andes has been fought over by Ecuador and Peru. The principal war left Peru in possession of much of the far western Amazonian including the most remote areas (1943). There have subsequently been a number of squirmishes. The isolated location has to some extent protected the Shuar in Peru from outsiders.

Terminology

The word Shuar as is the case of many Amazonian people means "people". The more common name in Ecuador has been Jívaro or Jibaro. The Shuar do not like the term because it is foreign and in Ecuador has a strong association with head hunting. One source describes the Shuar as a sub-tribe of the Jivaro. The author notes three other sub-tribes of the Jivaro: the Ashuar, the Aguaruna, and the Huambisa.

Population

The population of the Jivaro group titals less than 100,000 members. The Shuar are by far the largest tribe in the Jivaro group. They have a population estimated at over 70,000 members. Some estimates are lower. The other related tribes are much smaller. The Huambisa in Peru have about 5,500 members. Another smaller tribe. The Achuar have about 7,000 members in Ecuador and 4,800 in Peru.

Ethnic Federation

Salesian missionaries assisted the Shuar to found the first ethnic federation in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Federation attempts to defend the Shuar culture using modern methods, including radio programs, printing, and a variety of other means.

Lifestyle

Shuar families commonly consist of a husband, two wives, and their children. Each family or household exist independently within the tribes and are largely self-sufficient. Each family builds a thatched home approximately 30 ft by 50 ft using palm fronds, building doors at each end. The ceilings may reach 15 ft with 7 ft walls. The family may use one of these structures for years, but rarely more than 10 years. This depends on the abundanbce of firewood, vegetation and game. Once resources are completed the family moves on to another location. There care clearly drlineated gender roles. The men protect the family and also hunt, fish, clear forest, and cut wood. The women are responsible for farming, cooking, making beer, and caring for the children and animals. The two separate entrances to the family house are gender specific. The woman will only use the man’s side when she is serving food. The Jivaro are notable for practicing head shrinking. It ius probably what they are best known cultural attribite. It is not uncommon, especially among primitive tribes, to take the heads of their enemies. Shrinking the heads is much less common. The Jivaro call the shrunken heads 'tsantsa'. The practice was conducted at aime that the Jivaro were fierce Amazonian warriors, resisting both the Inca and Spanish as well as other Amazonian tribes. The Jivaro brg about capturing a Spanish governor trying to find gold. The Jivaro poured molten gold down his throat. News of this incident as well the practice of head hunting tended to discourafe incursions in their territory. They became called 'the unconquered ones'.

Clothing

Many Shuar have assimilated and now wear Western clothing. An example is an unidentified Ecuadorian boy. We have little information on traditiona clothing. One source describes Shaur jewelry which they fashion from seeds, nuts, teeth, bone and carious other natural objects.







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Created: 3:10 PM 12/26/2011
Last updated: 3:11 PM 12/26/2011