The villagers demonstrate how the island is built: A 2-meter deep base of torora reed roots are strung together, and anchored to the ground with the trunk of eucalyptus trees. Reeds are then layered on top. The next layer is laid criss-crossed about the previous layer. In the wet season, a new layer of reeds is laid every month, in the dry season, twice per month. An island takes about a year to build, and lasts 20+ years. Each layering takes a full day, including harvesting and laying the reeds - a joint effort by the entire village