Ashaninka people is one of the most ancient and therefore less explored ethnic groups in Peru. The distribution of their tribe covers a large valley area that ends up in Peruvian Andes ranges, though about one thousand people live in Acre state in Brazil. The history of Ashaninka people counts several centuries; in practice, the first records of this ethnic group existence correspond to emergence of Incas Empire.

To be more precised, the status of minor ethnic community implied regular struggle with dominant authority. At first, Ashaninka people faced Incas advancement, then the enslavements by Spaniards. Today, most of the issues that threaten their livelihood are related to enlargement of local dams and deforestation activities.

Specifically, forests appeared to be both shelter and great danger for Ashaninka and other Indian tribes in Peru, which might be illustrated by the events of civil war within tribes in 1980-1990s. It was the times of the internal conflicts, during which the Ashaninka have undergone massive displacement, many villages were burned to the ground, together with all documents and property. Part of the people were forcibly compelled to join the Shining Path (Communist Party of Peru), many Indians were captured into slavery. Some Ashaninka fled into the country, while others were not going to leave their villages, causing a great disturbance for local authorities. Jungles around Indian settlements literally swarmed with militants and hunting, an essential activity of Ashaninka people, became merely impossible.

Regular hunting is the feature, which distinguishes Ashaninkas' keeping original traditions. The patriarch structure of their tribes defines duties of men and women. The first are occupied mainly in hunting, fishing and further hard work, while women keep households together, cook and take care of Ashaninka kids. When a child is five years old, he has been already taught how to get food, meaning how to hunt, where to hunt, when to go fishing, etc. Hence, all the features of an ancient tribe are preserved. The same way tribes' traditions are kept.

In addition, more and more rights are given to Indian tribes in Peru and Brazil, which significantly increases independence of ethnic groups. Ashaninka are one of them, though there is always a reverse side of the medal. The Peruvian Amazon and Andes, where Indian people live, are also the objects of constant industrial construction. Obviously, it puts tribes' existence in jeopardy.