El artículo aborda los sistemas acuáticos de agua dulce “tuna, tannoiku’pö” que son vulnerables e importantes para la cultura Pemón-Arekunä y para la funcionalidad de la cuenca del Caroní-Venezuela. Se trabajó con la reconstrucción histórica con base en las argumentaciones y percepciones tanto individuales como colectivas de ancianos, capitanes, voceros de consejos comunales indígenas y actores gubernamentales. Los resultados muestran un ámbito con representaciones diferenciadas del signifi cado del mundo del agua para los Pemón, y cómo los cambios en los patrones de asentamiento, organización política y de subsistencia están afectando su “cultura”-“tuna” (agua), con una tendencia que emula a las prácticas del mundo no indígena. Se concluye que los indígenas, los científi cos y otros actores pueden entablar acciones colectivas para la coexistencia multicultural del agua.The article discusses currently threatened freshwater aqueducts, tuna, tanno iku’pö, that are essential to the Pemon people as well as for water functionality of the whole Caroni River Basin. An historical reconstruction was made based on various opinions and collective perceptions of indigenous elders, chieftains, spokespersons at communal councils and representatives of government institutions. Th e results reveal a multi-faceted array of symbols stemming from the folklore and cultural feelings engendered by the water world of the Pemon Amerindian population. Analysis demonstrates that settlement patterns, as well as political organization and means of livelihood are aff ecting the tuna, or water culture, and that that this is partially the result of practices originating in the non-indigenous world. It is concluded that the natives, as well as scientists and other interested parties are engaged in collective action directed toward multi-cultural coexistence in developing a perception of water, considered not only as a prime necessity, but as a symbolic element.7-26beckersanchez@gmail.comjrosales@uneg.edu.vehvessuri@gmail.comSemestral