The Hoti are a small nomadic tribe consisting of 300 individuals living in small temporary fishing camps in the area of the Parucito tributary of the Manapiare River (up river from the small town of San Juan de Manapiare.) The dugout boat in the upper left did not undergo the lengthy process of opening, where the wood is steamed and slowly stretched to make a flatter, more stable bongo. This bongo was quickly created to cross the small stagnant rivulet, and left for anyone traveling in the opposite direction.

The Hoti family in the bottom left was standing along the shore of the river when we passed by. They were so still and silent, only Alberto saw them at first. He stopped and reversed the boat near to them. They didn't speak Spanish, and we didn't speak Hoti, but smiles were exchanged, as were Oreo cookies as a gift to the family. In the upper center of the photo there is a Hoti footprint showing how small and thin their feet are. On the right, Alberto is showing us another wild food.