Malocas

The Amazonian Indians live in homes, called malocas. The were used for many different reason, including a family home, workspace, and dance house. The homes were built by the men, with help of the neighbors. Maloca commonly had gardens. In the gardens they grew special plants, such as plants that can be used as medicine. In each maloca there was a headman. When the headman died the maloca was left, ant the people living in it all moved together. They would build a new maloca nearby. The oldest brother would lead the building, and become the next headman. The larger the maloca the more prestige the headman had.