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Breathing bridge

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A breathing bridge is a type of living root bridge handmade from the aerial roots of banyan trees from the region of Amazonas (Peru).

Nukak Makú indigenous tribes have been modelling the roots of these trees from centuries to cross above the streams that spontaneously appear during the wet season. They first grow the trees along the river banks and after ten years when the roots are big enough they start assembling the bridge. Such a long-term project cannot be completed in a lifetime, so the knowledge is passed over generations. Some of these bridges will live for 500 years spanning over 100 feet (30 meters). Sustainable architecture that will live and grow for many generations. It is one of the few worldwide ecological examples where human benefits themselves coping with nature without provoking any damage to the natural realm.[1][2][3][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ NUKAK: Ethnoarchaeology of an Amazonian People ISBN 1598742299
  2. ^ FRANKY, Carlos; Gabriel CABRERA; Dany MAHECHA 1995: Demografía y movilidad socio-espacial de los Nukak. Fundación Gaia, Bogotá D.C.
  3. ^ GUTIÉRREZ, Ruth 1996: "Manejo de los recursos naturales (fauna y flora) por los Nukak"; trabajo de grado. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, mec.
  4. ^ SILVERWOOD-COPE, Peter L. 1990: Os makú, povo caçador do nordeste da Amazônia. Editora Universidade de Brasília.- ISBN 85-230-0275-8