TRIBES of the AMAZON

"Information regarding the tribes of the Amazon."

WITOTO TRIBE

Set within the Witoto Forest just off the coast, the tribe is a collection of various small villages who have been conquered or surrendered to rule under B'alam's reign. The resulting peace amongst the tribe has taken many years but became much stronger once the true enemy was identified, outsiders. Having lived off the land and the waterways surrounding their borders, they have had little use of the outside world although they are ever watchful. Lately their borders have only been partially opened so that deals could be made with other regions. Their borders will remain untouched if they do the odd bit of tracking and assassination here and there.

Men: Primary hunters and warriors, sent to defend the borders and protect the various villages scattered throughout the forest itself. Trained heavily in the art of tracking and assassination from a very early age so they can make a livelihood with the new partially opened borderline between them and the outside world. Taught to make their own weaponry from pieces of obsidian near the mountainside as well as the trees and stones around them.

Women: Primarily gatherers, mothers and medicine workers. They are taught about the medicinal herbs spread throughout the forest as well as how to care for the elderly and the young ones. They can defend themselves and are the last area of defense for each village if the men can not hold back the enemy. They sew and repair the clothing and armor that the men use. Sometimes there are women who prove themselves worthy enough to become warriors and hunters rather than remaining locked within the gender roles.

Children: Both male and female children are fed off the breast of their mother or wet nurse until the age of five. This establishes a promising immune system and strength to fend off viral, bacteria and other deadly illnesses. It also strengthens the young males along with a fruit and meat diet to ready for a warrior's right of passage. Young girls are similar to share a strong immune system, women of the tribe teaching adolescent girls the fundamentals of medicine, gathering, sewing, cooking and how to cater the tribal people as a whole.

Belief's and Superstitions: The Witoto rever the various cycles of the sun and moon, often giving up sacrifices to the Sun God and the Moon God depending on the eclipses. The sacrifices can be volunteered or taken from various rebellious groups, even outsiders who wander through the borders unknowingly.

The forest around them is cared after and respected as is the wildlife and aquatic life. Every kill that is made is immediately given thanks for the bounty.

Outsiders are seen as evil beings that must be watched at all times, prone to bringing a sickness to the Witoto. Having a deep knowledge of local flora allows them to keep various diseases away and stifled.

The dead are respected but fallen enemies and sacrifices are feared. Enemies and sacrifices have their bodies used to the fullest extent. The meat and organs are eaten, the bones are made into jewelry and weaponry, and the skin is made into armor.

The meat and organs are eaten so that the fallen can not regain their strength and return from the grave. The bones are used so that the dead can not connect them to make themselves whole once again. The skin is used so that the dead can protect the living.

Landscape: Amazon-like rainforest at the edge of the coastline and surrounding mountain ranges. Complete with a few waterfalls and rivers that criss cross the region. High canopied trees and lush undergrowth provide cover for all kinds of beautiful and dangerous wildlife. From the loud Howler Monkeys to the fiercely territorial Crocodiles. Beautifully crested Parrots to the highly dangerous Piranha. Majestic Jaguars to painful Bullet Ants. And everything in between in a rainforest setting. The villages are circular and set within a zone that can be easily defended. Usually there is an escape route via a river or waterfall very close by in case they are ever invaded by the outsiders. Traps for wildlife and intruders are set up along the border usually containing spike pits as well as complex walls made of sharpened stakes. The mountain ranges supply obsidian from the cooled lava flow which allows them to be used for weaponry and cutting utensils like knives. Twine is made from vines and large elephant ear leaves while a majority of the flora provides specific medicinal uses.