The Traditional Boats Uros-totora-cougar Head-Peru- 508 Editorial Photo

Urosul uses reeds, which are abundant along the shores of the lake, to make their homes, furniture, boats and islands on which they live. Their canoe-shaped boats, with animal heads at the bow, are used for fishing and to bring visitors to the islands, which are usually moored on the bottom of the lake, but can be moved if necessary. As the reeds disintegrate from the bottom of the islands, which are four to eight meters thick, residents need to add more to the surface, which is soft and sometimes spongy.