Peru - community profiles
SELVA MANTA
Copyright © José Luís Álvarez Ramos &
Tom Lavers
November 2005
1. Physical description
Selva Manta is located in Junin region and is an annex,
with the district centre lying
12 km. And an altitude between 1400m - 1800m.The climate is varied,
with
Temperature average monthly between 16 and 26.5 degrees centigrade
the months of rains
is January to March.
Soils have alluvial origin, with average of 15 cm, with an intensively
cultivated.
2. Population and settlement
Selva Manta has a population of 560 of which 90% are
evangelical protested. They have their chapel where have services
for worship three times per week. The Catholics have a small church.
100% speak Spanish as theirs first language. There are a few recent
migrants from Huancavelica and Huancayo that understand Quechua
language but they prefer not to speak to it.
3. History
The village was colonized by the Franciscans, previous
has being inhabited by Nomadic indigenous communities then Italians
immigrants arrived when starting 20th century with capital interested
in cultivation sugar cane livestock. They Constructed the first
private land “Hacienda “.
4. - Material resources
Most people work in private “hacienda” as agricultural
laborers. The sugar cane is most economic activity. Men and women
and children work on the crop.
Production of coffee and sugar cane liquor “aguardiente”
are other economic activities Selva Manta is not organized as a
peasant association, community and people do not our land. This
is all the property of the “Hacienda”.
The products are sold in San Ramon, Lima o Huancayo. The government
food assistance body PRONAA is also present providing food for school
meals, and there is also a ‘glass of milk ' organisation.
4. Natural resources
Forest land is important for food, wood for construction
and tools, firewood, medicine.
Water is relatively abundant resource, used for the self-consumption,
distilling alcohol, fish.
Selva Manta possesses a great biodiversity of flora and fauna and
some tourist potential, but this has not been developed.
5. Human resources
Selva Manta has primary school and parents support children for
study secondary in nearly small city for higher education.
Other people stop study in order to work in agriculture, for not
against with as peons. Women often have their first children the
age of 16.
Employment in production of the sugar cane was the main attraction
for migrants from different districts near to Jauja like Ricran,
Molinos, Tambillo as well as people of Huancayo, Huancavelica, Santa
Ana, and Pichanaki. The political violence forced migration of some
residents to nearly town and to Lima.
In the last years there is temporary migration for study reasons,
trade, visits to family and parties.
6. Infrastructure
In 1970 the highway was constructed at the initiative
of a timber company from Lima together with authorities and community
support.
There are primary school and health post but it is not working.
There is not access to electricity supply or piped water.
7. Socio-political resources
The most important organization is the “rondas
campesinas” created by the Peruvian Army in the period of
political violence in 1980s and 90s to combat terrorism. This continues
to provide security.
Men’s are forced to join to “ronderos” between
the ages of 17 to 40 years old. They have weapons give them to Peruvian
army who periodically visit to inspect them and to provide training.
8. Cultural resources
Several festivals have disappeared as to a result
of the influence of protestant evangelical group. They carry out
annual festivities where people of different annexes attend (Chacaybamba,
Huayanay, Uchubamba), during three days
Also young people go to “chicha” parties where converge
people of different places In July there are an annual festivity
with “jalapato” and dance “carnivals de Jauja”,
many migrants return home from Lima or Huancayo. In these festivities
the typical food is “pachamanca” with different ingredients
like yucca, “racacha”, potato, meat and drink “warapo.”
10. Additional Information
Detailed
community profile in Spanish
Inventory
of collective action
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