The Amazon Basin has long been occupied by indigenous populations. Those populations that live closest to the basin, in the lo west elevations, are subject to the extreme seasonal changes. Social order, therefore, is shaped largely by the fluctuations of the seasons and of the river. There are two seasons, one wet and one dry. Issues concerning shelter, transportation, food, and social interaction are largely determined by the seasons. Creative expression – mythology, religion, celebration, and visual art – are rooted in nature.
The wet season, lasting approximately from January to June, involves the flooding of the Amazon River. People are forced to travel by canoe, for there is no dry ground in their communities. Ho wever, because it is difficult and uncomfortable to move around, social interaction outside of the household is largely limited during this time. People spend much of their time in hammocks (one of the indigenous inventions), where they might repair clothing or tools. Crops cannot be grown during this time, and fishing is much more difficult, so people tend to lose ...