Conquered by Aridity
Two Uru community leaders pose on the remains of one of their fishing boats in the dwindling waters of Lake Poopó, Bolivia. Their image symbolizes the resilience of a culture and community in the face of the harsh realities of environmental change.
Shores of Solitude
Pablo, one of the few remaining inhabitants of the Uru community, sits on what used to be his old fishing boat.
Once a Lake
Evangelino, a resident of the Desaguadero River basin, spends his days digging a well to provide water for his family and livestock, while his wife tends to the sheep.
Lake's Last Breath
After performing a sacred ritual to entreat the return of rain, a group of families returns to their village, filled with hope. They carry the weight of their collective plea to Mama Qocha (Mother Water) , seeking the revival of life-giving showers that sustain their land and way of life. Their journey home is a testament to the enduring bond between people and the natural world, echoing the timeless tradition of honoring the Earth.
Legacy of Drought
Abdon gently cradles a bird that once called Lake Poopó home. Over time, he has amassed a diverse collection of species, culminating in the creation of a fascinating museum in the heart of the community. Here, a handful of curious visitors can immerse themselves in the splendor of the vibrant life that once flourished in this region. Abdon's unwavering dedication is a poignant reminder of the priceless biodiversity that once graced this area.
New Species
Abdon, along with another community leader, holds a fishing net that now holds a cell phone with pictures of the fish they used to catch. The diversion of water resources from the lake for mining has shifted priorities, favoring technology over traditional livelihoods. This shift underscores the changing social landscape and the growing demand for technology over the resources that once sustained their community.
Gone with the Water
Felix, the eldest of the Urus, is holding a photograph of the ancient inhabitants floating on the lake in their canoes. Among them is his grandfather, a prized link to their ancestral way of life. As the photograph weaves the past into the present, Felix's gaze carries the weight of generations, preserving the memory of a time when the lake and their traditions flourished in harmony.
Exodus from the Dying Oasis
Felix, the eldest among the ancient Urus fishermen, now sustains his livelihood by crafting miniature replicas of the very canoes he once used for fishing. These smaller canoes have become more than mere souvenirs; they are a tangible connection to a culture on the brink of extinction due to climate change. Through his craft, Felix preserves a fading legacy, keeping alive the memory of a way of life threatened by environmental shifts.
Deserted Shores
Seated in what was once their traditional boat, two Urus, adorned in ceremonial ponchos, chew coca leaves and offer prayers to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) as the sun sets. In this poignant moment, they pay homage to their ancestral connection with the land, seeking solace and guidance from the fading echoes of a vanishing way of life.