The Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazónica (ACCA) is supporting the indigenous Q’eros community to implement an innovative land conservation concession established with the Peruvian government. The concession provides the tribe tenure over Amazon rainforest while mandating income-generating uses alternative to deforestation—in this case, eco-tourism.
This is the work of ACCA on the surface. Beneath environmental sustainability, the Q’eros people are struggling with a deeper, more personal issue—the loss of their cultural identity. Younger generations attracted to the modern world are losing interest in the tribal way of life and leaving the community. Their numbers are dwindling fast. During our visit, there were only 60 members remaining. Eco-tourism, however, may be helping to reverse this pattern.
In addition to alternative income and land preservation, eco-tourism offers the Q’eros renewed pride and appreciation for their heritage through cultural exchange with visitors.
Upon arriving, a group of eco-tourists are greeted with a ceremony. Dressed in traditional clothing the children danced to the song and drum beat of the elders.
On a guided jungle tour the group is given insight into the medicinal uses of the surrounding vegetation—addressing ailments ranging from a sore tooth to healing infection and preventing parasites.
The Q’eros instructs the visitors in archery including a contest to determine who has the sharpest aim. The winner would be “kept behind to help the tribe hunt,” they joked.
For a ceremonial closure, the eco-tourists and tribe gather fireside to share stories, exchange songs, and express mutual gratitude for the cultural exchange.
Through sharing their communal wisdom with the eco-tourists the Q’eros people are gaining a new found appreciation of their culture and way of life. Instilled with a new sense of pride, future generations may choose to stay with the tribe fostering cultural sustainability in addition to land conservation.
