July 7, 2017

Cultural Loss in Peru

Language

Despite having a large percentage of indigenous people, Peru is losing it’s cultural heritage, fast. Over the past few decades, Peru has steadily lost 37 native languages, out of an initial 84.

From teaching Spanish in Urakuza, to major road constructions near the Asháninka project, evidence of cultural loss can found in both the Asháninka and Awajún partnerships. Along with language, indigenous identity is being lost as children are no longer encouraged to wear traditional chumpi’s (indigenous belts) and other traditional clothing. And, in some areas, traditional clothes have been banned completely. And, along with language, indigenous identity is being lost as children are no longer encouraged to wear traditional chumpi’s (indigenous belts) and other traditional clothing. And, in some areas, traditional clothes have been banned completely.

The Asháninkan education

However, all is not lost. Cool Earth believes that enabling people to protect the forests they have lived in and relied on for generations will help them maintain their culture and traditions as they see fit. There is a global and growing movement to preserve native heritage, which can even be seen in the UK with the resurrection of Cornish and the expansion of Welsh.

The Peruvian government now publish educational materials in many indigenous languages, thankfully there is an Asháninka curriculum so the communities can teach their children in their mother tongue.

Asháninka's Cultural Champion

Meet Saul, Cool Earth’s coffee Technician and vehement protector of his Asháninka heritage. As a young adult he moved to Lima where he was bullied for being Asháninka, however he stood proudly and defied his tormentors by wearing cushmas more. Saul’s home village lost their knowledge of Ashaninkan 50 years ago when an American mining company told his parent’s generation it was a dead language. Now Saul, a chief cultural campaigner, hires a teacher so his children can learn Asháninka and be proud of their heritage.

Support Cool Earth's Peru partnerships today

Quick Donation Page

Enter your donation amount:
£ GBP

I would like to add Gift Aid

If you're a UK taxpayer the government will add 25% to your donation - at no cost to you.

By ticking the box you confirm the following: I want to Gift Aid my donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to Cool Earth Action. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer.

First Name

Last Name

Street Address

Address 2

City

Post Code

Please notify the charity if you want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address, or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

I'd like to gift my donation

Enter the Giftee's Details

Individual Prefix

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Your message

I'd like to donate regularly

Give monthly by Direct Debit

If you are a US donor and wish to contribute to a 501 please Click Here