Bora

Who are the Bora?

The Bora are an Indigenous group living in the Amazon rainforest, mainly in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. They are held together by shared language, customs, and a worldview that sees the spiritual and physical worlds as one. Their society is organized around families and exogamous marriage practices. The Bora have a long tradition of living in the forest, drawing on a rich knowledge of plants and the land around them. Their identity has been shaped by both their connection to the rainforest and their resilience in the face of outside threats.

Where do the Bora live?

The Bora live between the Napo, Putumayo, and Caquetá rivers in the western Amazon. This region is dense rainforest, rich in plant and animal life. The land provides food, materials, and spiritual meaning for the Bora. Today, most Bora live in permanent settlements within the forest. Their ancestral territory is under threat from illegal logging, and they do not have officially recognized reserves.

What language do the Bora speak?

The Bora speak the Bora language, which is part of the proposed Bora–Witoto language family. The language is central to their identity and daily life. The sources do not provide details on the current state of the language, but it remains in use among the community.

How do the Bora live?

The Bora make their living through a mix of farming and foraging in the rainforest. They have an elaborate knowledge of local plants, especially trees, which are important for food, medicine, and tools. Bows and arrows are traditional weapons, used both for hunting and in conflicts. Their settlements are now mostly permanent, reflecting a shift from more mobile ways of life in the past.

How is Bora society organised?

Bora society is organized around families who practice exogamy, meaning they marry outside their own family group. This helps maintain social ties across the community. Decisions and social life are shaped by kinship and shared customs. The Bora have guarded their lands from both neighboring Indigenous groups and outsiders.

What do the Bora believe?

The Bora worldview is animist: they see spirits as present throughout the world, with no clear line between the physical and spiritual. Plants and trees hold special importance, both practically and spiritually. Catholicism is also present among the Bora, reflecting outside influences. Rituals, art, and music are not detailed in the sources.

The history of the Bora

The Bora have lived in the Amazon for generations. In the early 20th century, the rubber boom brought violence and devastation. Many Bora were enslaved and abused at rubber stations, especially those run by Julio César Arana's company. Some fled across the Caquetá River to escape. The population suffered greatly during this time. Despite this, the Bora have maintained their culture and connection to their land.

Bora life today

Today, the Bora number about 2,000 people. They face ongoing threats from illegal logging and lack official land reserves. Their knowledge of the forest remains strong, but pressures on their land and way of life continue. The Bora continue to live mostly in permanent settlements, maintaining their language and customs.

Questions people ask about the Bora

Sources and further reading

• Bora people on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Bora themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.