Eco Games for Community Anniversaries
We hosted two activities for the anniversary or “Fiesta Patronal” of the Community of Oran District of Las Amazonas – Peru
The Aguaje palm climb is an activity we sponsor with cash prizes to promote sustainable annual harvest.The Idea is to prove that it is possible to climb the palm to harvest fruit instead of cutting it down as it is commonly practiced. Aguaje palm stands (Mauritia flexuosa) are diminishing in their native territories wherever access is relatively easy (3-4-hour hike) due to local consumption and the commercial demand for aguaje ice-cream pops.
The rules are simple, the first to touch a lower leaf at the top and climb down in the shortest amount of time wins! (We had to forbid jumping off from the top) Contestants needed to bring their own materials, one joker brought their ladder which was excluded!
Anything could be used as long as it is something feasible to carry for hours in the forest. The idea is to promote the sustainable harvest of aguaje and to prove it can be done easily. With 3 cash prizes, there were many contestants.
The third-place winner had a time of 4 minutes 35 seconds. The first-place prize had a time of 1 minutes 30 seconds. The All-time record from 2015 was a flash of 45 seconds (that’s why we had to forbid jumping from the top).
There was a great turnout from communities all over the district. Many people showed up to witness the annual event and discover the newest addition to the competition.
- The Archery contests.
Unfortunately, we were very pressed with time, there were many other activities planned and we only had an hour to complete the archery competition. Many locals are detached from their ancestral cultures. Globalization and intercontinental trade have made shotguns and their ammunition quite plentiful. There are many young people who do not know how their grandparents once subsisted on the wealth of the forest. Nowadays, if there are no shotgun shells, no one hunts!
Yes, I know, some extreme animalists reading this post are saying “ what a dick”, promoting the death of Amazonian animals! As a conservationist though, I can’t help but use logic and empathy to understand that the forests resources are there to take advantage of and manage in a proper way. A preservationist attitude will make everyone hungry and angry, we know what that makes… HANGRY People! LOL
We had several contestants bring their own bow and arrow, some loaned their equipment to contestants who did not have their hunting materials. The materials are simple, all bows were made of stilt palm plank and nylon cord for the drawstring. The Arrows are made of a Cane grass shaft with a tapered hardwood tip . the arrows were assembled in an uncustomary fashion with the plumes tied on the side instead of proper aerodynamic arrows.
Even though the activity was a bit disorganized, we all had plenty of fun. The first contestants were a bit lacking in accuracy and at the last minute I called on an elder from a neighboring village to shoot.
I know Mr. Valencio has hunted with bow and arrow and actually will still hunt agouti with a blunt tipped arrow or a “knockout “instead of a perforating tip. Mr. Valencio stood with confidence, a stance that oozes experience. He managed 2nd place and the crowd went wild!
The ladies were watching the men fail horribly and protested that they too should have a chance to shoot so we obliged and gave them all a chance. In the defense of the ladies, they had never practiced shooting so any attempt at something new is a great effort. We cycled through several women, although their stances looked serious enough, the aim and force was not with them. Unfortunately, no woman made the target but there were a few close calls.
We ended the competitions with a quick concise message about conservation and the need to measure our extractive practices so there may be this marvelous ecosystem for generations to come.
The resource needs to be treated as something to bequeath unto their progeny rather than destroy for their immediate prosperity.
Small, noninvasive activities for example where people’s ability to climb is showcased. Can have an impact on someone and may make all the difference next time they go to harvest aguaje. We hope they think twice before dropping an aguaje for one seasons fruit.
Come around next year in November generally between the 20th and 25th to experience the anniversary of Oran!