The territory of the Yine people is defined by their historical occupation, traditional resource management, and deep ecological connection to the forest. As an ancestral people, the Yine inhabit altitudinal gradients reaching up to 500 meters above sea level, a range that encompasses the vast biodiversity of the lowland rainforest ecoregion. This territorial expanse finds its natural boundary at the Andean piedmont.
In terms of territoriality, there have been and still are zones that function as mobilization corridors for the Yine people. These corridors connect with the Purús basin in the direction of the Acre river basin in Brazil, the Manu through the Varadero and Las Piedras rivers, the Pongo de Mainique towards Quillabamba; another route is the descent of the waters of the lower Urubamba towards the Ucayali, and from the mouth of the Tambo rivers (Atalaya). Another part to the west by the Tambo river, and towards the current Ashaninka territory, ancestral area of the cerro de la sal (Smith, 2019).
The Yine of Peru utilize hydrographic references to identify and locate their various subgroups. For instance, the people of the Lower Urubamba are known as Yine Yami, while those of the Madre de Dios (specifically the Manu River) are called Yine Mano Gajene. Similarly, the groups in the Río las Piedras area are identified as Yine Sotlugapga Gajene, those from the Lower Ucayali as Koshawataya Gajene, and the Manchineri of Brazil as the Yako Gajene.
Most Yine communities currently reside in the Lower Urubamba basin, where at least five sacred sites have been identified. These areas, which have been protected from deforestation and encroachment, are of profound significance, as they are deeply rooted in the communities' origin myths.
Over the last two decades, the Monte Salvado community has experienced a notable increase in sightings of Indigenous Peoples in Isolation (PIACI). In response, the Ministry of Culture has implemented rigorous protection protocols, particularly following alerts within the Las Piedras river basin in Tambopata. Due to its strategic location bordering the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve, Monte Salvado maintains a specialized guard post co-managed by the Ministry of Culture and FENAMAD. These efforts focus on monitoring the Mashco Piro population and other unidentified groups to ensure the safety and self-determination of all parties involved.
Traditional Yine houses are crafted entirely from forest materials, using carefully selected tree species and woven lianas. These structures are built with wood and vines that have been specifically chosen for their strength and durability.
These rectangular dwellings generally measure three to five meters in footprint, featuring roofs that extend up to six meters high. The construction utilizes specific forest resources: pona (stilt palm) for the flooring and shebon palm fronds for the roofing material.
