Water nests

The smaller dwellings can most easily be described as floating nests with leafy roofs. The Qiriri search the bottom of bodies of water for living roots or strong plant fibers that are flexible yet provide excellent support in turbulent weather. The roots are woven together with a dense circular or oval network of robust floating aquatic plants and fibers.   Specially cultivated giant lotus leaves or other large-leaved aquatic plants such as water rhubarb or marsh squash are used for the roof. These enormous leaves essentially form the supporting column around which the entire nest is built. Inside, the nests consist of at least two levels above and below the water's surface. The water level serves for cooling off and bathing. The upper level contains spaces for sleeping and eating.   Larger dwellings are built directly on the giant water lily leaves. Thin, flexible reeds are used to construct light, stable domes. Then, durable ropes are woven from rushes and water hyacinths, which are used to tie the leaf edges to the reed structure and cover them with reed mats or woven rushes. The roofs are often domed and covered with living mosses or even small marsh plants.   The walls are additionally insulated with a layer of damp clay, mucilage, and moss. The houses feature a living area that serves as a central meeting place, sleeping area, and workspace. The furnishings consist of raised platforms made of woven mats, which protect against the water's moisture. Through an open hatch or a small, covered platform at water level, the inhabitants can slide directly into the water. Niches built into the walls and sealed with clay serve as storage for tools and collected food.

By "weaving" the roots together, the huts are robust enough to withstand the tides and fluctuating water levels. The roots of the trees and shrubs serve as supporting beams and are guided as they grow to form walls, load-bearing columns, and sheltered chambers.   Similar to stilt houses, a nest-like flood platform made of woven branches serves as the foundation for the living area, keeping the rooms dry even at high tide. The roots above the water level are "stitched together" with a tarpaulin made of water-repellent marsh leaves. The seams are further sealed with a slime adhesive. Small clumps of herbaceous marsh plants are tied to the roots for camouflage.   The inner walls of the flood platform are constructed with a mixture of mud, algae, reeds, and twigs, which, after hardening, forms a robust organic shell. Additionally, the Qiriri use dried, saltwater-resistant seagrass and thick algae mats as insulation and sealing material for the foundation, as these materials are flexible and resistant to rot in the humid climate. On the dry level, there are sleeping areas, a central fire pit with a smoke vent in the roof, and storage areas protected from moisture.   The low-water level is an open platform made of dead wood and driftwood, accessible only at low tide and used as a work area and boat landing or "boat garage". Ropes made of lianas and water hyacinths serve as railings, decorations, or supports for suspension bridges over which the Qiriri reach the entrances.