The indigenous tribes of the Amazon have survived three massacres due to territorial conflicts.
The first was in 1966 when rubber prospectors attacked the Cinta Larga, a tribe of indigenous people who occupy the western region of the Amazon. This massacre, also known as Massacre at Parallel 11, was a result of many violent encounters between the Cinta Larga and gold, rubber, timber and diamond miners.
The second massacre happened at the Capacete Stream in 1988 and today is considered by the Brazilian courts as genocide. Four members of the Tikuna tribe were killed, 19 wounded and 10 disappeared.
The third massacre took place in he 1980s,when forty thousand Brazilian gold-miners invaded the Yanomami tribe in northern Brazil. According to Survival International, a movement for tribal people, the miners shot them, destroyed villages and spread diseases to the tribe; this killed off 20 percent of the Yanomami in severs years.
Again in 1993, miners entered the village of Haximú, murdering 16 more Yanomami, including an infant. The Brazilian court convicted five miners guilty of genocide.
Indians were not capable of protecting themselves, so in 1970 Brazil instilled a law for their protection. However, the law changed in 1988 with the new Brazilian Constitution. “The protection of Indians no longer existed on paper,” said anthropologist Claudia Lopez.
In the 19th century, Brazil began its first project to integrate the indigenous people in the state of Pará. In 1910, military officer, Marshal Rondon, was the first director of Brazil's Indian Protection Bureau, also known as Fundação Nacional do Índio or Indian Protection Service (SPI/FUNAI). FUNAI was a protection organization for Indian well-being and culture. According to Lopez, their goal was to attract, pacify and integrate Indians. In doing so, they incorporated the indigenous peoples as border guards.
“The Indians then had to rely on the government and FUNAI for their protection,” Lopez said.
Today, there are 230 indigenous groups, making Brazil the most diverse country in the entire Amazon. “It is difficult to determine the number of Indians in Brazil,” said Lopez “Six hundred thousand people are an acceptable number”.
Indigenous people were seen as a “problem” to Brazilians. They thought there was too much land for too few Indians. However, the knowledge indigenous people have about their own territory can be used as a resource to preserve the environment.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Rainstorm
We got to meet the UFC Lightweight Champion of the World Lyoto Machida yesterday!! He and some of his sponsors were eating at the same restaurant we went to last night. One of his sponsors, Bony, is the owner of MonaVie. MonaVie is an açaí importing company from Brazil and is very popular in the U.S.
It was storming last night. I have never seen it rain so hard in my life. You couldn't even see in front of you because the rain was coming down so hard. Bony, being the gentleman he is, offered to give all 10 of us a ride so we didn't have to walk in the rain. We all piled into a medium-sized SUV cramming five people in the middle and five people in the trunk. It was quite a site!
On our drive, Bony explained to us why people don't stop at stop lights. "It's very dangerous here and people will rob you if you stop," he said. No wonder, it totally makes sense!
We went to the Museu Emílio Goeldi again this morning. The director of the museum, Ima Vieira, came and spoke to us about deforestation and how sustainable resources are decreasing in the Amazon. The nice part about this lecture was that she spoke English.
I was especially interested in learning about açaí because it is the most sustainable resource in the Amazon. "In the past three years, the price of açaí has increased almost 10 times," explained Vieira. I can't believe this! It used to cost one or two reais (Brazilian currency) for one liter of açaí. Now, because it is in such high demand, açaí costs 10 reais! Again, I will be writing a news story about açaí and how the price increase is negatively affecting the lives of Brazilians.
We went to the Parque da Residência for lunch this afternoon. The park used to be an official governor's residence in the early 20th century. The best part of the park was the ice-cream parlor (yum).
As much as I love food, I don't know how big of a fan I am of Brazilian food. I did try Brazilian fish for the first time though, and I must say it wasn't bad. Everything else is too salty. I can't wait to go home and chow down In-N-Out Burger. Mmmm a number three with animal style fries and grilled onions sounds delicious! Anyways, the point is that the food wasn't bad today.
After eating at the park Raúl had planned a surprise visit for us. Our surprise was going to the José Liberto, which used to be a prison from 1749 until 2000. I'm not gunna lie, that place had some really crazy stuff to see. For example, there were tools used as torturing devices for prison inmates. The roll looked the most painful.
This is a picture of the roll. It's the one to the right. All I can say it that I feel sorry for anyone who had to experience the wrath of the roll.
Now it's a giant jewelry shop and a gems and indigenous artifacts museum. I bought my mom and sister both some really beautiful gems. The gems were so cheap because there's a large abundance of them. I asked Raúl because I was curious as to why they weren't outrageously priced.
We then left the prison and came back to the hotel. I just checked my facebook and I'm glad to see that one of the Brazilian students, Bih, has been writing to me. She is so cute and what she says is so funny. I really hope we get to hang out with the Brazilian students again before we leave.
Oh good news! I'm officially going to Rio de Janeiro with Janice and Laura! I'm so pumped!! Hopefully Carla can get her flights changed so she can come too.
I have so much work to do tonight, ugh. I feel like I am constantly working. I guess that's a good thing but I am also the only person who doesn't nap between class and dinner and I don't go to bed until 3 a.m. every night. I'm not even doing anything I shouldn't be doing, like stalking people on facebook or anything like that. I feel like I'm constantly working, but hopefully my hard work will pay off. I really hope it does!
Gotta get back to work. Ciao!
It was storming last night. I have never seen it rain so hard in my life. You couldn't even see in front of you because the rain was coming down so hard. Bony, being the gentleman he is, offered to give all 10 of us a ride so we didn't have to walk in the rain. We all piled into a medium-sized SUV cramming five people in the middle and five people in the trunk. It was quite a site!
On our drive, Bony explained to us why people don't stop at stop lights. "It's very dangerous here and people will rob you if you stop," he said. No wonder, it totally makes sense!
We went to the Museu Emílio Goeldi again this morning. The director of the museum, Ima Vieira, came and spoke to us about deforestation and how sustainable resources are decreasing in the Amazon. The nice part about this lecture was that she spoke English.
I was especially interested in learning about açaí because it is the most sustainable resource in the Amazon. "In the past three years, the price of açaí has increased almost 10 times," explained Vieira. I can't believe this! It used to cost one or two reais (Brazilian currency) for one liter of açaí. Now, because it is in such high demand, açaí costs 10 reais! Again, I will be writing a news story about açaí and how the price increase is negatively affecting the lives of Brazilians.
We went to the Parque da Residência for lunch this afternoon. The park used to be an official governor's residence in the early 20th century. The best part of the park was the ice-cream parlor (yum).
As much as I love food, I don't know how big of a fan I am of Brazilian food. I did try Brazilian fish for the first time though, and I must say it wasn't bad. Everything else is too salty. I can't wait to go home and chow down In-N-Out Burger. Mmmm a number three with animal style fries and grilled onions sounds delicious! Anyways, the point is that the food wasn't bad today.
After eating at the park Raúl had planned a surprise visit for us. Our surprise was going to the José Liberto, which used to be a prison from 1749 until 2000. I'm not gunna lie, that place had some really crazy stuff to see. For example, there were tools used as torturing devices for prison inmates. The roll looked the most painful.
This is a picture of the roll. It's the one to the right. All I can say it that I feel sorry for anyone who had to experience the wrath of the roll.
Now it's a giant jewelry shop and a gems and indigenous artifacts museum. I bought my mom and sister both some really beautiful gems. The gems were so cheap because there's a large abundance of them. I asked Raúl because I was curious as to why they weren't outrageously priced.
We then left the prison and came back to the hotel. I just checked my facebook and I'm glad to see that one of the Brazilian students, Bih, has been writing to me. She is so cute and what she says is so funny. I really hope we get to hang out with the Brazilian students again before we leave.
Oh good news! I'm officially going to Rio de Janeiro with Janice and Laura! I'm so pumped!! Hopefully Carla can get her flights changed so she can come too.
I have so much work to do tonight, ugh. I feel like I am constantly working. I guess that's a good thing but I am also the only person who doesn't nap between class and dinner and I don't go to bed until 3 a.m. every night. I'm not even doing anything I shouldn't be doing, like stalking people on facebook or anything like that. I feel like I'm constantly working, but hopefully my hard work will pay off. I really hope it does!
Gotta get back to work. Ciao!
News Story: Viral and Parasitic Control at the Instituto Evandro Chagas
Viral and parasitic diseases are a problem concerning public health in the Amazon.
The Amazon region of Brazil, Belém, has 22 million inhabitants. The human occupation is accompanied by a decline in the standard of life. The people live with low levels of education, lack of essential sanitary conditions, increase of diseases and decrease of awareness to health. The Instituto Evandro Chagas’ (IEC) main goal for the Brazilian population is to improve the overall quality of life.
The IEC acts in the field of public health, developing studies in biological sciences and has played a prominent part in tropical and environmental medicine. There are six different areas the IEC focuses on: surveillance in health and environment, monitoring health and environmental problems emerging in Amazonian states, providing support at both state and municipal levels, water contamination and cause of disease, research projects in health and the environment and technical training to personnel in the secretary of surveillance in health.
Elisabeth Santos, director of the IEC, says that since 1992 the control over disease has worsened. The IEC has studied the field of Public Health and biomedical research for more than 70 years.
Vectors transmit viral and parasitic diseases. A vector is any agent that carries a transmitted disease, for example, mosquitoes are vectors of yellow fever. Yellow fever is a complicated disease and there is no cure. “We are trying to figure out what kind of virus it is,” said Santos.
There are four types of parasitic diseases affecting the Amazonian community: arboviral disease, malaria, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. These diseases are a priority pertaining to public health issues in the Amazon.
There are two stages that come with being infected with Chagas disease: the acute stage (shortly after the infection) and the chronic stage (develops over many years). Swelling occurs during at acute stage and the chronic stage affects the nervous system, digestive system and heart.
Next, arboviral diseases come from ticks and mosquitoes and are capable of infecting birds and mammals. The characteristics of this infection are headache, fever, swelling of the brain and death.
Third, an infective female Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria. Symptoms of the disease are fever, joint pain, shivering, vomiting, anemia, retinal damage and convulsions. “Malaria is under control everywhere except the Amazon,” says Santos.
Finally, a bite from a certain species of sand fly transmits leishmaniasis. There are four types of leishmaniasis: visceral, cutaneous, diffuse cutaneous and mucocutaneous. The infection causes skin sores, fever, liver and spleen damage and anemia.
In order to understand the transmission of these diseases, the IEC studies genetic variability of the transmitters, genotype diversity, distribution and description of recently identified species of vectors and hosts.
With that, the IEC has accomplished biological, biochemical and molecular studies to help describe seven leishmania species in the Amazon basin. In addition, they have been successful in identifying biochemical markers providing characterization in regards to Chagas disease.
Nowadays, Amazonians are provided with free vaccinations in order to avoid obtaining horrible diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. “Companies are aggressive in vaccinating the entire population, including the indigenous peoples,” said Santos.
The Amazon region of Brazil, Belém, has 22 million inhabitants. The human occupation is accompanied by a decline in the standard of life. The people live with low levels of education, lack of essential sanitary conditions, increase of diseases and decrease of awareness to health. The Instituto Evandro Chagas’ (IEC) main goal for the Brazilian population is to improve the overall quality of life.
The IEC acts in the field of public health, developing studies in biological sciences and has played a prominent part in tropical and environmental medicine. There are six different areas the IEC focuses on: surveillance in health and environment, monitoring health and environmental problems emerging in Amazonian states, providing support at both state and municipal levels, water contamination and cause of disease, research projects in health and the environment and technical training to personnel in the secretary of surveillance in health.
Elisabeth Santos, director of the IEC, says that since 1992 the control over disease has worsened. The IEC has studied the field of Public Health and biomedical research for more than 70 years.
Vectors transmit viral and parasitic diseases. A vector is any agent that carries a transmitted disease, for example, mosquitoes are vectors of yellow fever. Yellow fever is a complicated disease and there is no cure. “We are trying to figure out what kind of virus it is,” said Santos.
There are four types of parasitic diseases affecting the Amazonian community: arboviral disease, malaria, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. These diseases are a priority pertaining to public health issues in the Amazon.
There are two stages that come with being infected with Chagas disease: the acute stage (shortly after the infection) and the chronic stage (develops over many years). Swelling occurs during at acute stage and the chronic stage affects the nervous system, digestive system and heart.
Next, arboviral diseases come from ticks and mosquitoes and are capable of infecting birds and mammals. The characteristics of this infection are headache, fever, swelling of the brain and death.
Third, an infective female Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria. Symptoms of the disease are fever, joint pain, shivering, vomiting, anemia, retinal damage and convulsions. “Malaria is under control everywhere except the Amazon,” says Santos.
Finally, a bite from a certain species of sand fly transmits leishmaniasis. There are four types of leishmaniasis: visceral, cutaneous, diffuse cutaneous and mucocutaneous. The infection causes skin sores, fever, liver and spleen damage and anemia.
In order to understand the transmission of these diseases, the IEC studies genetic variability of the transmitters, genotype diversity, distribution and description of recently identified species of vectors and hosts.
With that, the IEC has accomplished biological, biochemical and molecular studies to help describe seven leishmania species in the Amazon basin. In addition, they have been successful in identifying biochemical markers providing characterization in regards to Chagas disease.
Nowadays, Amazonians are provided with free vaccinations in order to avoid obtaining horrible diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. “Companies are aggressive in vaccinating the entire population, including the indigenous peoples,” said Santos.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Week II
I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I have one word. CRAAAAAAAANKY!
Today was pretty cool. We started off by going to the Instituto Evandro Chagas, which is a medical research facility in Belém. The guest speaker and director of the facility was Elisabeth Santos.
She discussed how the company works on a region of developed lands and the effects of the development. She went on to discuss certain diseases in the Amazon and how Yellow Fever has currently infected the Amazon.
Yellow Fever infected people in the Amazon two years ago. She went on to discuss how disease cannot leave he Amazon due to the fact that it lives in the forest. However, we did learn that Brazil provides vaccines for everyone, even the indigenous people. They have what we know as free health care. I really wish America would get up on the times and provide free health care for everyone. We learned about how disease is controlled here as well. I'm going to be writing a small story about all of this so if you want to learn more, check out my blog later tonight or tomorrow.
We then got to take a tour of the facility, which to tell you the truth, was pretty eerie. I must say that it reminded me of a mental institution from the 1950s.
We got to go to a different mall today, which was interesting. The food I had wasn't very good. Some of the stuff smelled like mildew or mold. Come to think of it, I think a lot of stuff here smells like mildew. I think that must be because the air is so damp here.
I bought a Brazilian flag! I'm stoked because now I can put it in my room at home in Long Beach. I kind of miss Long Beach. I miss the food and my friends, well some. I miss my roommate Stephanie a lot. I consider her my little Buddha.
Next, we went back to the Museu Emílio Goeldi again. I love that place! we got to see the jaguar again and he was stressing out to say the least.
Our speaker at the park was Claudi Lopez. She is a researcher and anthropologist at the museum. She's also Colombian, which was a plus because she spoke to us in Spanish, not Portuguese. She discussed the general problems of the indigenous people of Brazil . The goal of her speaking to us was to have us be aware of the general views of the indigenous people of the Amazon. She then discussed the implications of nation security and indigenous people and concluded with how the issues should be treated. The native people were once given protective laws, then had them taken away and now only have one law in the Brazilian Constitution of 1988. It is in article 130, which established the respect of all Brazilian people. Again, this will all be discussed in my next post.
I learned a lot today, especially about indigenous tribes of the Amazon. I think it would be really interesting to be able to go out in the Amazon and spend a few days with one of the 230 tribes. I don't know how well that would work and it probably won't ever happen. I would like it to though. Well, I'm going to wake up Emily because we have to meet everyone downstairs for diner soon. Read my story later!!!
Today was pretty cool. We started off by going to the Instituto Evandro Chagas, which is a medical research facility in Belém. The guest speaker and director of the facility was Elisabeth Santos.
She discussed how the company works on a region of developed lands and the effects of the development. She went on to discuss certain diseases in the Amazon and how Yellow Fever has currently infected the Amazon.
Yellow Fever infected people in the Amazon two years ago. She went on to discuss how disease cannot leave he Amazon due to the fact that it lives in the forest. However, we did learn that Brazil provides vaccines for everyone, even the indigenous people. They have what we know as free health care. I really wish America would get up on the times and provide free health care for everyone. We learned about how disease is controlled here as well. I'm going to be writing a small story about all of this so if you want to learn more, check out my blog later tonight or tomorrow.
We then got to take a tour of the facility, which to tell you the truth, was pretty eerie. I must say that it reminded me of a mental institution from the 1950s.
We got to go to a different mall today, which was interesting. The food I had wasn't very good. Some of the stuff smelled like mildew or mold. Come to think of it, I think a lot of stuff here smells like mildew. I think that must be because the air is so damp here.
I bought a Brazilian flag! I'm stoked because now I can put it in my room at home in Long Beach. I kind of miss Long Beach. I miss the food and my friends, well some. I miss my roommate Stephanie a lot. I consider her my little Buddha.
Next, we went back to the Museu Emílio Goeldi again. I love that place! we got to see the jaguar again and he was stressing out to say the least.
Our speaker at the park was Claudi Lopez. She is a researcher and anthropologist at the museum. She's also Colombian, which was a plus because she spoke to us in Spanish, not Portuguese. She discussed the general problems of the indigenous people of Brazil . The goal of her speaking to us was to have us be aware of the general views of the indigenous people of the Amazon. She then discussed the implications of nation security and indigenous people and concluded with how the issues should be treated. The native people were once given protective laws, then had them taken away and now only have one law in the Brazilian Constitution of 1988. It is in article 130, which established the respect of all Brazilian people. Again, this will all be discussed in my next post.I learned a lot today, especially about indigenous tribes of the Amazon. I think it would be really interesting to be able to go out in the Amazon and spend a few days with one of the 230 tribes. I don't know how well that would work and it probably won't ever happen. I would like it to though. Well, I'm going to wake up Emily because we have to meet everyone downstairs for diner soon. Read my story later!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Parade
Today was SO much fun! Our class got to march in a parade that only happens two months out of the year- June and October. Some of the students who we had met at the university met us at the hotel at 9 a.m. The main girl who set the whole meeting up name is Karina. She is a sweetheart. She also speaks English! Most of the student who took us to the parade spoke English too.
We took the bus, which was quite an experience. The bus system is really weird here. You get on the bus and in the middle there is a teller who takes your money and then you exit from the back of the bus. Before I could pay the teller, the bus driver slammed on the gas and I ate it in front of everyone. My knees had hit a ledge and my hands were full of money so there was no way of saving myself. It was really funny.
The parade began at Estação das Docas and went all the way until the Praça da República. I’m not sure of how far we actually walked, but it was definitely a more than a few blocks. The decorations and outfits worn by locals for the parade were amazing! People dressed up in bright, colorful clothing and some people were on stilts wearing white face paint. There were so many people there! The students we were with said that there were 10,000 people there. It was extremely hot a few of us girls bought hats. Janice and I bought a giant sombrero looking hat, which kept hitting people in the face. I thought the hat worked in my favor because those of you who know me well know I don’t like to be touched by strangers so my sombrero was my protection haha.
While we were marching, vendors were actually walking in the crowd selling beverages and little bulls on sticks. The bulls were so cute! I bought one, but then I lost it… figures. As we walked down the street (it’s blocked off or else we all would have for sure been hit by cars because the drivers here are crazy!) people sang and danced to some traditional songs.
Once we got to the Praca de Republica, there were hundreds of vendors selling almost everything and anything you can think of. The one thing I love about Brazil is the fact it’s so cheap! That, and the fact almost every bathroom has a squishy toilet seat. I bought so many gifts. To all my friends back home in the states, get excited for some really cool presents! The coolest item I bought today was a bracelet made of anaconda skin. I’m never taking it off.
I must say that I don’t think I have ever shopped for so long in my life. Janice, Laura and I went to almost every vendor. We bought jewelry, wind chimes, clothes and some really beautiful art. During our shopping, we could hear a live band playing in the center of the park. It seemed too hectic to go anywhere around that area, so we mainly stayed on the outside of the madness.
We also saw some of the cutest puppies for sale! Ahh I wanted to take one home with me in the worst way. In addition, I got to eat the most amazing churro. I don’t know what was in the center but I can only describe is as a gooey sugary filling. It was truly amazing. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.
Because our whole group decided to go our separate ways when we reached the park, we had decided to meet at 1:30 at a bank and go somewhere else from there. When we all met at the bank, we unanimously decided to stay at the park and enjoy our time with the Brazilian students. I think a lot of the Brazilian girls think I’m funny because they laughed at almost everything I had to say. They also thought I was crazy- I don’t blame them haha.
As we continued to shop, I realized I had a hole in my bag from the painting I had bought. I don’t think I lost anything except the little bull on a stick I bought, but then again I bought a lot of stuff. I really don’t think anything fell out besides the bull.
AHHHHH side note!- My bed is infested with bugs. I feel them crawling all over me all the time! I spray my bed and my body with bug spray all the time but these suckers wont seem to die. It’s really starting to become a problem haha.
Anyways, back to my story about today. Joanne got her hair braided. For those of you who don’t know Joanne, she has the thickets hair I have every seen. However, it didn’t take them that long to braid her whole head. I think it looks awesome! I’m glad she did it because someone on this trip had to get their hair braided or do something wild along those lines.
I also saw the funniest thing today. One of the vendors on the “hippy” side of the park had the craziest tattoo I have ever seen. It was on his stomach below his belly button of a woman with her lets spread eagle and her vagina fully exposed. The best part of the tattoo was the pierced part, which was on her vagina, made to look like she had her clit pierced. He came up to Lisa and I asking us if we wanted to get a piercing or tattoo done by him. NOOOOOOO THANKS is all we had to say.
After Joanne’s hair was done getting braided, we walked to the mall. By this point in the day the only people who had stayed with the Karina and her friends were Lisa, Kendra, Joanne and I. Karina took my bag full of gifts from me and carried it. I was begging her to give it back to me to let me hold it because it was honestly about ten pounds. She refused saying it was too heavy for me to carry and she wanted to help. She then had one of the boys who we were with carry it for me but I eventually talked him into letting me take it back. I felt bad- I didn’t want them to have to suffer carry all my stuff! We met everyone in the mall where we got some food and relaxed a little while.
Soon after that, we all decided it was time to go home. We took the bus back to near the hotel and parted ways with our new Brazilian friends. I really hope we get to see them again before we head back to the states. Luckily, we exchanged e-mail, skype names, and facebooks. I actually think I just got a request from one of the girls to be my friend.
Today was the best day ever! We got to hang out with a group of wonderful Brazilian’s and partake in an event that has gone on in Brazil for years! Plus, I got all my shopping out of the way…well maybe haha. I still need to go get my mom some lanterns she saw in my pictures that she wanted. I must say that if I could go back and do it all over again that I wouldn’t change a thing.
News Story- By Alex & Emily
The trees of the Amazon are on the breach of extinction. Mata Alântica was a region of tropical moist forest lining the Atlantic coast of Brazil. It’s lush green foliage that once flourished and produced abundant resources for the natives, is currently diminished as a consequence of urbanization. According to veterinarian, Messias Costa, nearly 5 percent of Mata Atlântica still remains.
The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi is the first botanical park and aquarium in Brazil, which was founded in 1895. Joice Santos, communications co-coordinator, described the park as a “living classroom”. Here one can observe endangered trees of the rainforest. Some species include the Guajará, Tucum and Bambu-amarelo. “Trees offer many resources for people and animals,” said Costa.
Trees are very important to the Amazon. They provide shade, food, roofing, oxygen and housing for animals. The first tree we encountered was the Samaumeira, which is one of the tallest trees in the Amazon. Reaching up to 50 meters in height, the Samaumeira prevents the sunlight from reaching the floor of the rainforest.
The most important and popular palm tree in the Amazon is the Açai tree. The flavorful berries produced by the tree are enjoyed around the world. Açai also contains antioxidants and is a vital factor in the Amazon because it makes up a significant portion of the Brazilian diet. In Belém, you can find Açai used in juice, ice cream and salads.
Next we came upon the Mogno, one of the most endangered trees in the rainforest. Generally known as mahogany, Mongo is used for flooring and furnishings and is the most expensive wood you can buy. Mahogany is also used for making boats and musical instruments, for example, Ringo Starr from The Beatles played a mahogany guitar.
Our favorite tree is Paxiúba. This tree is called “the tree that walks” because over time it grows sideways across the rainforest floor. This is because it’s roots are very shallow and have difficulty obtaining nutrients from the soil. This palm is one of the most common trees in the rainforest as an outcome of being able to thrive in damp tropical areas. In addition, the palm is valued by birds and is used to make jewelry.
The Tucum palm tree produces fruits that are used for bio-diesel production. It grows to be 60 feet tall and is native to Brazil. The Tucum produces an orange-yellow fruit that contains vitamin A, which helps to prevent eye disease and is three times the amount you would absorb from a carrot. The seeds it produces are very dense and are used to make bio-jewelry and other artwork such as carvings. It is also used for fishing nets, sailing ropes, hammocks and baskets. The wood is resistant to salt water, mold and mildew.
Bambu-amarelo is the most widely known type a tree that grows in the Amazon. It has a growth rate up to 60 centimeters a day, making it the fastest growing wood plant. Bambu-amarelo has multiple uses. It is used for culinary purposes, medicine, construction and art. Not only is it important to Brazilian culture, but it is significant in other cultures as well, for example, the Chinese culture.
Pau-Rosa is another palm tree that grows in the Amazon and is Portuguese for rosewood. This palm is not durable, however, it is used to make Chanel Number 5 perfume and rosewood oil. It is resistant to insect and fungal attacks. Because it is widely used to manufacture various products, it has become an endangered palm of the rainforest.
Finally, we learned about the Jarina, which is a small palm with a thick trunk. It is known as “vegetable ivory” because it is harder than wood and carves just like ivory. Before World War II, Jarina was used to make buttons and handles for walking canes. In addition, it was mistaken for authentic elephant ivory. It also emits a strong-scented perfume. The Jarina has a slow growth rate, taking up to 3-4 years to germinate and survives to be over 100 years old. Because the wood is so durable, it is used for building and construction. It is also used for food, ornaments, manufacturing pieces of knee support, piano keys, small statues, souvenirs and jewelry.
All things considered, we feel it is important to protect the endangered trees of the rainforest. They are utilized in numerous innovative ways and are crucial ingredient in Amazonian culture. Although the palms sow their own seeds, it is important that we preserve the rainforest in order to avoid arboreal extinction.
The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi is the first botanical park and aquarium in Brazil, which was founded in 1895. Joice Santos, communications co-coordinator, described the park as a “living classroom”. Here one can observe endangered trees of the rainforest. Some species include the Guajará, Tucum and Bambu-amarelo. “Trees offer many resources for people and animals,” said Costa.
Trees are very important to the Amazon. They provide shade, food, roofing, oxygen and housing for animals. The first tree we encountered was the Samaumeira, which is one of the tallest trees in the Amazon. Reaching up to 50 meters in height, the Samaumeira prevents the sunlight from reaching the floor of the rainforest.
The most important and popular palm tree in the Amazon is the Açai tree. The flavorful berries produced by the tree are enjoyed around the world. Açai also contains antioxidants and is a vital factor in the Amazon because it makes up a significant portion of the Brazilian diet. In Belém, you can find Açai used in juice, ice cream and salads.
Next we came upon the Mogno, one of the most endangered trees in the rainforest. Generally known as mahogany, Mongo is used for flooring and furnishings and is the most expensive wood you can buy. Mahogany is also used for making boats and musical instruments, for example, Ringo Starr from The Beatles played a mahogany guitar.
Our favorite tree is Paxiúba. This tree is called “the tree that walks” because over time it grows sideways across the rainforest floor. This is because it’s roots are very shallow and have difficulty obtaining nutrients from the soil. This palm is one of the most common trees in the rainforest as an outcome of being able to thrive in damp tropical areas. In addition, the palm is valued by birds and is used to make jewelry.
The Tucum palm tree produces fruits that are used for bio-diesel production. It grows to be 60 feet tall and is native to Brazil. The Tucum produces an orange-yellow fruit that contains vitamin A, which helps to prevent eye disease and is three times the amount you would absorb from a carrot. The seeds it produces are very dense and are used to make bio-jewelry and other artwork such as carvings. It is also used for fishing nets, sailing ropes, hammocks and baskets. The wood is resistant to salt water, mold and mildew.
Bambu-amarelo is the most widely known type a tree that grows in the Amazon. It has a growth rate up to 60 centimeters a day, making it the fastest growing wood plant. Bambu-amarelo has multiple uses. It is used for culinary purposes, medicine, construction and art. Not only is it important to Brazilian culture, but it is significant in other cultures as well, for example, the Chinese culture.
Pau-Rosa is another palm tree that grows in the Amazon and is Portuguese for rosewood. This palm is not durable, however, it is used to make Chanel Number 5 perfume and rosewood oil. It is resistant to insect and fungal attacks. Because it is widely used to manufacture various products, it has become an endangered palm of the rainforest.
Finally, we learned about the Jarina, which is a small palm with a thick trunk. It is known as “vegetable ivory” because it is harder than wood and carves just like ivory. Before World War II, Jarina was used to make buttons and handles for walking canes. In addition, it was mistaken for authentic elephant ivory. It also emits a strong-scented perfume. The Jarina has a slow growth rate, taking up to 3-4 years to germinate and survives to be over 100 years old. Because the wood is so durable, it is used for building and construction. It is also used for food, ornaments, manufacturing pieces of knee support, piano keys, small statues, souvenirs and jewelry.
All things considered, we feel it is important to protect the endangered trees of the rainforest. They are utilized in numerous innovative ways and are crucial ingredient in Amazonian culture. Although the palms sow their own seeds, it is important that we preserve the rainforest in order to avoid arboreal extinction.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Swimming in the Amazon
I was so hung-over today. We stayed out until 4a.m. at this club called DEJAVU. It was so much fun minus when some Brazilian guy came up and stuck his tongue in my ear ewwwww! His breath smelled like cheese and I smelt cheese the rest of the night. I literally screamed bloody murder and felt like I was going to throw up the rest of the night. All in all, it was the best night yet
I actually swam in the Amazon today! It's not infested with piranhas like in the movies.
We took a boat down the Amazon in order to get to the island where the beach was. The boat ride was really, really fun. There was live music and dancing. We also got to lie out the whole way there, which was nice because I got super tan. I'm probably the tannest I've been in a while. It was sooooo hot on the boat, but thank god they had cold showers on the deck where we all regularly cooled ourselves off.
When we got to the island, we had to hike a little ways in order to get to the beach. The beach was so pretty and the sand was so nice, considering it isn't imported or anything like in the states. Lunch was complimentary with our trip! The food was delicious- thinking about it now is making my stomach growl.
Most of our group got in and swam around in the Amazon. I was kind of skeptical though because the water is really murky and pretty nasty smelling. But hey, how many American girls can say they swam in the Amazon?
After a few hours we had to get back to the boat and sail back to the mainland. I didn't really notice it I guess on the way to the island, but there are Amazonian who canoe in the Amazon and people were throwing bags of food to them from our boat. It reminded me of Indians who had food thrown to them by settlers back in the day.
Joanne, Brit and I were brave enough to get up in front of a crowd of Brazilians and dance on our ride back. Two instructors were pulling people up from the crowd to teach them how to dance. I made a fool of myself and almost fell fifty times. If I had ate it in front of all those people I would've been so embarrassed! We have some pretty good pictures of it on facebook if anyone wants to check them out.
The ride back to Belém definitely seemed shorted than the way there. We docked the boat and took cabs back to the hotel. I have this habit now where I call our hotel home. It for sure isn't home. Speaking of, I wonder how everything is in California?
I'm planning on extending my trip until the 24th to go to Rio with some of the girls. I really hope my parents let me go because I think it would be a great experience and I might as well considering I'm already in Brazil. Besides, my flight schedule back is ridiculous! I go about ten hours out of my way in order to get back to Long Beach. Not cool! So, we'll see if my dream comes true and if I can go to Rio next week!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
