How do Indigenous peoples of Lake Titicaca use tatora sedges?

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The Uru people and other inhabitants of Lake Titicaca utilize the totora reed—a member of the Cyperaceae family—in several essential ways to support their lifestyle on the lake.1

Floating Islands: The Uru reside on floating mats constructed from dried totora reeds.1
Boat Construction: Lake dwellers use bundles of dried reeds, lashed together, to fashion their traditional balsas. These crescent-shaped vessels are historically significant and resemble ancient papyrus craft.1

These practices demonstrate the vital role this sedge plays in the survival and cultural heritage of the communities living in the marshy shallows of the region.1