Building a 3D map of Kichwa territory in San Martín, Peru

The Ethnic Council of the Kichwa Peoples of the Amazon (CEPKA) and the Federation of Indigenous Peoples of the Bajo Huallaga in San Martín (FEPIKBHSAM), based in the region of San Martin, Peru, together with Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) and the Amazonian Centre for Anthropology and Practical Application (CAAAP), set themselves the goal of mapping the main land uses in Kichwa territory in three dimensions. Specifically, they planned to map the area covered by the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area (ACR-CE), with a view to demonstrating the ancestral presence of Indigenous Peoples in this region.

What is a 3D map? A 3D map is a tool for communication, education and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge, built from papier-mâché on a wooden base approximately two metres long. This 3D map will replicate the territory, with the finishing touches transforming it into a miniature version of the land in question.

The FPP team approached this activity as a challenge, as it was the first time it had been done in Peru. Previously, the territories of Indigenous Peoples had been recorded as spoken maps or drawn up using georeferencing. Where should we start? How were we going to transform two metres of wood into a territory full of history and cultural significance, of vital importance to the Kichwa people?

With our feet on the ground and looking to the horizon: Organisation and structure of the work

With the help of artist and community education specialist Yury García, we began sketching out boundary lines. Around 27 communities are present in the territory; some spaces they share, but others are their own, like the tambos (shelters) or purmas (forest fallows). For this reason, we decided to focus on the main cultural uses of natural resources and the names of the most significant or valued places in the geographic area covered by the ACR-CE. 

The first step was to compile information on the geography of the area, to find out the location of the main rivers in the region, as well as the districts and provinces. As such, those nominated by their communities to work on the map would find the preliminary work done, a great regional map in three dimensions.

Together with Yuri, we prepared the materials for the first session: homemade papier-mâché, a wooden board with the map drawn out, printed maps of the region, labels of cultural uses, a selection of paint and brushes. And of course, the volunteers and elders from each of the indigenous communities.

The sessions

The initial sessions sought to represent cultural land uses on an A2-sized printed map. Each participant was asked to mark out their territory so that it could be modelled on the 3D map in papier-mâché. The aim was to get the basic shape right over the first two days, so we could dedicate the third and fourth days to drying, and adding the finishing touches.

Shaping the path with your feet – and with your hands: Challenges

As with any new experience, we encountered a few setbacks, but the team resolved them creatively. Below, we’ve picked out the most significant obstacles – the ones that could have ruined all our hard work. We are sure that next time we would be able to handle them better.

Unclear communication when calling for participants

Generational change and cultural colonisation mean that young Indigenous People lack detailed knowledge of cultural uses, routes and place names. This is why we invited the community elders with the most knowledge of their land, having coordinated with each of their apus (community leaders) in advance. However, young apus came to participate in the sessions who could not, despite their best efforts, name or locate places of ancestral importance on the map.

We resolved this by holding a second meeting and personally inviting the elders – always, of course, with the apus’ blessing. We spent an entire morning laying down ancestral mountains and rivers, building a map with clearly distinguished features for any participants who had little experience or memory of the place. It is different seeing a blank map to one full of Kichwa landmarks, like the Waman Wasi Mountain or the salt mines, which had already been sculpted. 

Scarce information on the geography and cultural uses of indigenous communities

We struggled to find sufficient information about the location of indigenous communities online. We overcame this by seeking out partners with experience in the field of indigenous rights, like CAAAP and the Instituto del Bien Común (Common Good Institute – IBC), who provided cultural maps based on their field work and/or research.