The Shipibo-Conibo

The Shipibo-Conibo live along the Ucayali River in Eastern Peru. Unlike most Amazonian groups, the Shipibo-Conibo population is large and growing, living in 300 villages. In this matrilineal society, kinship is reckoned through maternal bloodlines. Men marry into these families and reside in households dominated by women. Women have a strong voice in family discussions, social activities, and decisions on village matters, although the position of village chief or shaman is reserved for a man. Women are the artists in this society, creating beautiful geometric patterns and designs on pottery and textiles. The sale of these items to an international market provides important income.

Shipibo-Conibo: Cotton man's tunic, tari. Hand-spun fiber and hand-woven fabric, painted with traditional designs. Photo © Houston Museum of Natural Science.

The most important social event in Shipibo-Conibo life is the ani shreati, the great feast, to which hundreds of guests are invited. The participants celebrate for several days by drinking, eating, singing, and dancing to excess.

Shipibo cosmology and mythology are preserved and transmitted through the stories of elders and in the songs of shamans.