Page 34 - Roots-EN

The organization of its villages is grounded
in a plaza, where dances and celebrations
are held. Women's houses are arranged in
a circular pattern, while Men's houses are
located in the center of the plaza.

It is in the men's house where some
members of the village meet to discuss and
make decisions about their community. It is
also used as a teaching center, where adults
impart knowledge about their customs and
trades to younger boys. Thus, when a boy
is 8 years old, he must leave his mother's
house and move to the men's house, where
he learns to hunt, fish and care for the
jungle. It is only until the young man learns
everything he needs, grows up and marries,
that he leaves the men's house and goes to
live with his wife and her family in the family
houses or houses of the women built around
them.

Women never leave their maternal home,
therefore, a house can house several
families of different generations, but, when
these houses reach a number of more than
30 or 40 inhabitants, they build one or more
houses adjacent to the first.

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