A Piece of Jungle

We have embarked on a creative journey to create a gaming experience that celebrates the heritage of the Wampi and Shuar indigenous peoples of Peru, specifically in the provinces of Amazonas and Loreto.

In this way, we allude to a rite of passage of the Wampi people in which both young men and women, upon reaching puberty, prepare to receive the strength and wisdom of their ancestors through visionary experiences (which are revealed in dreams or trance episodes). In one vision, the protective spirit appears in the form of a fierce animal, such as the jaguar ñawa, which the youth must have the courage to touch. This spirit is known as Arútam among the Wampis and the Shuar.

As noted by researcher Elke Mader (1999), for these communities, the human person is not understood as a stable and clearly defined entity but as a structured combination of physical and spiritual components subject to constant transformations. "These transformations mark the individual's life and social relationships, and are, in turn, influenced by them" (p.14).

An important component of our narrative is the jaguar, the largest feline in the Americas, a significant figure in Peru and throughout the Amazon. This feline represents both power and danger, qualities that are also associated with the healers of the region. Healers are seen as possessors of special qualities, capable of influencing the health and well-being of people, as guardians of ancestral knowledge. Similarly, the jaguar is known to be a species that reflects the health of ecosystems. Preserving its habitat indirectly safeguards numerous other plant and animal species.

Additionally, we use words from the Jíbaro linguistic family, which reflect concepts from the Wampi and Shuar peoples, not only with the intention of showcasing the language but also of weaving the worldview of these peoples through the game's own language. This allows us to immerse players in an experience that celebrates the connection between culture and nature.

Vocabulary:

•  Apachur: grandfather
•  Ñawa: jaguar 
•  Panki: snake 
•  Arútam: the spirit that gives and is the active force of life.

In the game, we propose an immersion that challenges the player to step into the shoes of a character with profound knowledge of the diversity and ecosystemic functioning. Whether it's from the fur of a jaguar, the scales of a fungus, the antennae of an ant, or the steps of a human.

Through the narrative, the player confronts a current issue that challenges and questions the notion of identity: the preservation of ancestral culture in a globalized context. The Amazon, a living repository of stories, at least 10% of known plant and animal species, traditions, soils, and waterways, faces pressing, ongoing challenges, such as the deterioration of its ecosystems.

"A Piece of Jungle" invites us to explore how ancestral culture connects us with nature and confronts us with the problems of the contemporary world."

• Mouse (PC)  or touch the screen (Android)
• We recommend the use of headphones
• We recommend playing this title on a tablet"

This game was made for "Con Latinidad Game Jam 2023". All assets, music, and programming were made at the time of the jam. Enjoy.