No roads, logging or oil exploitation
Access only by air
5 000 Km2
4.500 Achuars
60 Indigenous communities
Over 540 bird species
  Achuar house
Achuar house
  
 
ARCHITECTURE

In the Achuar society, their house consists of one family. It is built from wood, elliptic-shaped, normally without external walls and covered by a very complex thatched roof made of palm leaves. This turns the Achuar house into a vast and harmonious structure. It follows an imaginary axis from west to east or upstream-downstream. The house is divided into two areas.

Tankamash located on the west side, is an eminently male area and women are not allowed, except when they serve nijiamanch or food to the guests. The master of the house sits on the chipui, a wood carved seat that resembles the shape of a tortoise. Ekent is located at the east side where all meals are prepared including the manioc beer, nijiamanch. It is primarily female, yet not exclusively. No male visitors will ever trespass the ekent's limit, but the master of the house is free to wander in this female space.



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