Iquitos – In the 16th and 17th centuries, explorers and missionaries first took note of the Kokama ethnic group situated in the main settlements of the middle and lower Ucayali River, which is a southern affluent of the Peruvian Amazon. Throughout the years, developments of the community’s practices and cultural influences welcomed numerous Jesuit missionaries, Portuguese explorers, and many others. Within this period, the Kokama people learned and later integrated foreign beliefs, customs, and traditions in their own system.
Long Migration and Contact
The Kokama people shared a long history of contact and migration. There were a number of accounts describing the various migratory movements of the communities from the Central Amazon of Brazil to the Peruvian Amazon. Based on research, the communities came to the Amazon hundreds of years prior to the Spanish conquest. Experts learned that the main reasons for the people’s constant travel were the search for resources, religious purposes, as well as escape from wars among Indians and slavery of the Europeans. However, even with the numerous tribes living in the area, they were still considered as the first ethnic group contacted by explorer Juan Salinas de Loyola in 1557.
Language Extinction
The rich and colorful history of the group, as well as their migratory tales, were preserved for quite a while. However, with the continuous exchange of various cultural values from different modern practices, the Kokama language is now endangered. As this main tool for communication opens the minds of the younger generation into building stronger connections with other cultural systems, it is also affecting the Kokama’s great core identity.
Moreover, the decline of the population of this indigenous group is causing further demise of their language. Even with elders who are still fluent in their native tongue, the continuous practice of both spoken and written forms must be maintained. However, the lack of the younger generation’s cooperation as well as openness to passing on the beliefs, customs, and languages can lead to the extinction of this once remarkable ethnic culture.
Actions to Results
Learning these grave concerns about the Kokama’s state, global and local researchers have come to help preserve this group’s language. Through the efforts of professionals and organizations, important actions are now being taken to keep a record of this valuable cultural treasure. After all, language is not only a mere means of communication; it is also an important feature of a particular indigenous group, for it provides a sense of identity and uniqueness.
Knowledgeable groups and individuals work their way into the communities and document the language as well as the lifestyle of the people. Whether it is through photography, video recording, or interviews, each one is doing their best in keeping this indigenous group’s culture and language alive.
This significant action brings back the historic and cultural identity of the Kokama without destroying the core of the people’s beliefs and lifestyle. They reinforce an urgent mission for saving the language and overall cultural heritage of this community in the Peruvian Amazon. In addition, this is a helpful means to provide sufficient and accurate records for future generations, whether it is for the local Kokama or global communities.
Image from Gente Sem Noção, https://www.flickr.com/photos/gentesemnocao/2385560064/
