ASHÁNINKAS

The Asháninkas are the most numerous and extended ethnic group of the Amazonia. Asháninka means “person” in their language and their culture counts on universal values based in the respect of nature and respect the others as basic principles. They live spread around hundreds of hectares in the Peruvian Amazonia and they gather in small communities by the Rivers Ene and Tambo.

They reject violence and they believe in education as the driving force of human growth/progress. The jungle is their source of life and they consider it their home. They are not just the inhabitants of the Amazonia, but also the guardians of the jungle.

The Asháninka Community was one of the most afflicted by the violence and terror brought by Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso), radical maoist group with a strong sectarian touch that terrified all Peru for more than 20 years. Besides terrorism, active since the 80’s, the Asháninkas fear that coca growing close to their area end up occupying their ancestral land. The increasing interest of energy companies, anxious for/ who long for / who are yearning for a big piece of rain forest, is another of the biggest concerns of the Asháninkas.

Despite of living in an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, the Asháninkas continue to live as they used to, as they always did, adapting slowly to modern times while fighting to preserve their life style and accepting development providing that their culture is always respected.

Work in progress