Peru Travel Guide - Lake Titicaca Uros Islands Summary

Uros Islands Overview

The festive boats of the Uros people in Peru

It's hard to believe that a place like Isla de los Uros even exists in the modern world. But this fascinating place far away from any signs of civilization is still thriving much like it did even before the Incas. The place consists of floating islands hand-made out of reeds. Not only do the people of the island use the reeds to construct their land and homes, but they also use the plant for its healing properties and nutrients.

The name of this curious island comes from its inhabitants, a pre-Inca people called Uros who continue to live on 42 man-made floating islands made entirely out of reeds. Today there are about 3,000 surviving descendants with just a few hundred still living on the islands. The purpose of the islands was originally defensive, since it would have been difficult for them to be run off. The largest island still maintains a watchtower that is also constructed out of reeds.

The Uros make everything out of the reeds from the totora plant: boats, huts, and the islands themselves. These reeds grow wild in the lake and their dense roots give support to the islands by being anchored with ropes and driven into the bottom of the lake. They rot fairly quickly, so Uros are busy adding new reeds to the top continuously, especially during the rainy season. With this method the islands last about 30 years.

The Uros people have kept themselves isolated for thousands of years, and when they were conquered by the Incas they still maintained their distinctive culture, although many were made slaves and were forced to pay taxes. They even had their own language that was used until about 500 years ago. Since many traded with the Aymara from the mainland many Uros began migrating to the larger islands and intermarrying. In fact, the last full-blooded Uros died in the late 50's.

Much like the Inca people's coca leaves, the Uros people also depend on the reeds for their diet and medicine. When a reed is pulled the white bottom called chullo is eaten for its rich iodine content. The reeds are also wrapped around places of injury because of its ability to absorb disease. The Uros also make a reed flower tea that helps with exhaustion and hunger from the harsh climate and laborious way of life.

Today the larger islands are home to about 10 families while the smaller ones house about 2 or 3. Their diet consists of several types of fish that thrive in the lake: ispi, carachi, and catfish as well as the newly introduced kingfish from Argentina. They also hunt birds such as seagulls, ducks and flamingoes to feed their small families of 2 or 3 children. Grazing cattle on the islands are also an important food source.

On the mainland they barter reeds for things they cannot cultivate, such as quinoa and other vegetables. Some also run craft stands on some of the islands in order to take advantage of tourism. A few of the houses even have electricity by using solar panels on the roof of the huts, which is evidence of the recent influence of Western culture on these isolated islands.

Visitors find these unique islands fascinating, especially coming from the world of modern conveniences. Aside from the craft stands and the rare signs of modern electricity, the Isla de los Uros remains nearly the same as they have for thousands of years. The best way to get there is by hiring a boat or taking a tour from Puno. Another option is to stop by the islands on the way back to Puno from Taquile Island.

For a map of the area go to: http://www.ladatco.com/TITI-map.htm

Map of Lake Titicaca