Uru

Who are the Uru?

The Uru are an indigenous people of the Lake Titicaca region, straddling the border of Peru and Bolivia. They are best known for their unique way of life on floating islands made from totora reeds. The Uru community is made up of several groups, including the Uru-Chipaya, Uru-Murato, and Uru-Iruito. Their identity is shaped by their relationship with the lake, their reed-based technology, and their history of interaction with neighboring peoples. Despite language shift and migration to the mainland, the Uru maintain distinct traditions and a sense of shared heritage.

Where do the Uru live?

The Uru live on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, located in the Andes between Peru and Bolivia. Their floating islands cluster near the port town of Puno, with some groups also living along the Desaguadero River. The islands are made from layers of totora reeds and roots, anchored to the lakebed. The landscape is marked by open water, reed beds, and high-altitude plains, with cold nights and strong sunlight due to the elevation.

What language do the Uru speak?

The original Uru language is nearly extinct, with only two speakers recorded in 2004. Most Uru now speak Aymara and Spanish, though some knowledge of the Uru-Chipaya language remains. The language shift happened over centuries of contact and intermarriage with neighboring Aymara people. Efforts to preserve linguistic heritage continue, but the Uru language is critically endangered.

How do the Uru live?

The Uru traditionally rely on fishing, hunting birds, and gathering totora reeds for food, medicine, and building materials. They eat the white part of the reed for iodine and use it in remedies. Fish such as ispi, carachi, and catfish, as well as introduced trout and kingfish, are staples. They also keep domesticated birds and cats, and practice some aquaculture. Today, tourism is a major source of income, with crafts and guided visits supplementing traditional livelihoods.

How is Uru society organised?

Uru society is organized around extended families living together on each island. Larger islands house up to ten families, while smaller ones have two or three. The islands are rebuilt every 25 years as the reeds rot. Social life centers on cooperation in building, fishing, and maintaining the islands. The Uru have historically intermarried with Aymara neighbors, and decision-making is often communal. Children attend local schools, with older students traveling to the mainland.

What do the Uru believe?

The Uru are mainly Christian today, but maintain some traditional beliefs and customs. They once called themselves 'sons of the Sun' and have legends about their origins and resilience to the cold. Rituals, music, and crafts are important, with textiles and reed work playing a central role. Dress is influenced by both tradition and modern styles, especially for tourists.

The history of the Uru

The Uru have lived on Lake Titicaca for centuries, originally building floating islands for defense. They traded and intermarried with the Aymara, gradually shifting languages and customs. The Inca Empire conquered them, imposing taxes and sometimes slavery. Conflicts with the Aymara continued until the 1970s, when the Uru lost control of much of their land. The islands have moved closer to shore since a devastating storm in 1986. Despite pressures, the Uru have maintained their identity and adapted to new circumstances.

Uru life today

Today, only a few hundred Uru continue to live on the floating islands, with most descendants on the mainland. Tourism is central to their economy, and many islands have modern amenities like solar panels and motorboats. The Uru face challenges from migration, language loss, and environmental change, but continue to adapt and share their culture with visitors. Their islands remain a symbol of resilience and ingenuity.

Questions people ask about the Uru

Sources and further reading

• Uru people on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• 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 Uru themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.