home is outside

Northern: a different view of Brazil

Brazil | Friday, July 5, 2013 | 5 photos

Marajó archipelago, located in Northern Brazil, is the largest sea-river archipelago on Earth. It is formed by 2.500 islands where most of the population lives in stilt houses surrounded by the Amazon rainforest, in a humid climate with daily rainfalls. In a place without roads, the river ends up playing a central role in the region's inhabitants. It is common to see a family moving around by boat, either to the church, to the market or to a neighbor's house.

In the capital Belém, 100km distant from Marajó, a group of men rests after a day of work in the Ver-o-Peso market, the largest market hall in region. Where a great diversity of fish, crabs and prawns can be found, in addition to typical fruits and leaves of the region as açaí berry, cupuaçu, Brazil nut, among many others. Despite a majority of the Protestant population, much of the indigenous tradition still preserved through practices such as the "garrafadas", a mixtures of herbs that are sold in bottles - that's the meaning of the word - to combat impotence, conquer your beloved or win a battle among all the most varied purposes.

Another interesting fact is that the culture of Northern region of Brazil has been, since the 60s, influenced by Caribbean music, since they had greater proximity if compared to the distances to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. At the time it was easier to tune in a radio station playing Cumbia or Merengue rather than Brazilian music of the center-south of the country.