Qala Yampu: The Lake Titicaca Reed Boat Project

These reed boats are made out of the plant species Scirpus tatora, t’utura in Aymara, or totora in Spanish. This versatile plant may grow as tall as 18 feet, but is generally around 5 to 10 feet, growing in the shallow sandy lake floor extending beyond the surface for several more feet. The reed is cylindrical or tubular in shape, thicker at the bottom and very thin at the top, almost whip-like. It may vary in shades of green and yellow, and turns a golden yellow when cut and dried by the sun. Once dried, the totora stalk maintains its strength and is very durable and buoyant, almost styrofoam like. If cut properly, the remaining stalk may grow as much as 5 to 8 feet in a year.

The totora beds are affected greatly by the fluctuation of the lake levels. In times of drought water levels can drop so much leaving entire totora fields high and dry. The result can be devastating since totora requires the shallow water to live. Equally as devastating are rising water levels. In such times the water levels where totora fields are growing may become too deep. The result is the same…the death of that field.

Totora is very much a part of the life, in fact it is life, for the communities around Lake Titicaca. Although not as much as before, totora is still used to make boats today for fishing, transportation, and work. Totora is used to make not only roofs of houses, but sometimes entire homes. In fact in some parts of the lake there are entire islands made out of totora. The people that live on these floating islands are constantly replacing the old rotten totora with fresh reeds to keep their homes afloat.

Totora is harvested by some as the primary feed for cattle and other livestock around the lake. In extremely tough times the tender bottom portion of the totora stalk can be eaten by people as well. Relatively tasteless, it resembles a little the texture of celery.

				*Click the thumbnail below to see the larger photo!*
	These reed boats are made out of the plant species Scirpus tatora, t’utura in Aymara, or totora in Spanish. This versatile plant may grow as tall as 18 feet, but is generally around 5 to 10 feet, growing in the shallow sandy lake floor extending beyond the surface for several more feet. The reed is cylindrical or tubular in shape, thicker at the bottom and very thin at the top, almost whip-like. It may vary in shades of green and yellow, and turns a golden yellow when cut and dried by the sun. Once dried, the totora stalk maintains its strength and is very durable and buoyant, almost styrofoam like. If cut properly, the remaining stalk may grow as much as 5 to 8 feet in a year. The totora beds are affected greatly by the fluctuation of the lake levels. In times of drought water levels can drop so much leaving entire totora fields high and dry. The result can be devastating since totora requires the shallow water to live. Equally as devastating are rising water levels. In such times the water levels where totora fields are growing may become too deep. The result is the same…the death of that field. Totora is very much a part of the life, in fact it is life, for the communities around Lake Titicaca. Although not as much as before, totora is still used to make boats today for fishing, transportation, and work. Totora is used to make not only roofs of houses, but sometimes entire homes. In fact in some parts of the lake there are entire islands made out of totora. The people that live on these floating islands are constantly replacing the old rotten totora with fresh reeds to keep their homes afloat. Totora is harvested by some as the primary feed for cattle and other livestock around the lake. In extremely tough times the tender bottom portion of the totora stalk can be eaten by people as well. Relatively tasteless, it resembles a little the texture of celery.			*Totora Reeds* Totora bundles being delivered. Notice totora growing in the water. ________ Totora Everywhere Totora is drying in the sun wherever space is available. ________ Totora Bundles Once dry, totora bundles are placed under shelter until needed. ________