The Tsimane’ (Chimane, Chiman) are Amazonian forager-horticulturalists inhabiting a vast area of lowland forests, and savannas east of the Andes in the Beni department of Bolivia. The Tsimane make a living through swidden agriculture, hunting, fishing, gathering, and occasional wage labor. Approximately 9000 Tsimane’ live in about 80 small villages, typically consisting of extended family clusters (50-150 people) that vary considerably in river access, surrounding game densities and access to market goods. There also exists great variation in the extent of integration into the larger Bolivian society and economy among the Tsimane, continuously increasing with proximity to towns. While no villages have running water or electricity, up to 30 villages now house schools where students learn to read and write in both Tsimane and Spanish.

You can learn more about the Tsimane’ at The Tsimane Health and Life History Project