Traditional Arts, Amazon

As I'm nearing the end of my journey, cruising along the south side of Marajó Island, I think about the Marajoara. This ancient 15th-century civilisation lived on the island and was known for making beautiful pottery. The vessels were made of clay and contained intricate geometric designs and images of wild animals living on the island. The Marajo people eventually abandoned the island. To keep the Marajo art alive, modern artisans use ancient designs for inspiration and reproduce well-known pieces stored in museums

Traditional arts and crafts serve many purposes and are very important to Amazon communities. They are a means of preserving cultural heritage while passing it on to future generations. Handmade items that are sold provide an income to support themselves and their families.

A common craft in the Amazon is basketry, making hats, bags and mats. They are woven from natural fibres such as palm leaves or vines and decorated in colourful and elaborate patterns. Weaving is another craft that involves creating textiles like hammocks, blankets, and clothing. They are usually made from natural fibres like cotton or wool and dyed with traditional methods and natural dyes. Lastly, carvings are made from locally sourced wood or stone to create items like masks, sculptures, and utensils. The carvings typically have intricate designs or symbolic motifs.

The difficulty level in making traditional crafts depends on the design's complexity and the artisan's expertise. Knowledge can be passed down through generations, but expertise is mastered over many years of practice and patience. Each community will have its unique way of creating certain crafts, which may also depend on available materials. Other crafts like basketry are common across the tribes but will employ different weaving techniques and decorative styles.

Traditional crafts in the Amazon are at risk of disappearing due to many factors, including a lack of interest from younger generations. Various programs have been launched to help support artisans and to preserve these crafts and their cultural heritage.

Another important art form is music and dancing. Passed down through the generations of indigenous communities, they often tell stories and celebrate important events. Musical instruments are made from natural materials like drums, rattles and flutes. The music in each tribe has its own unique rhythms, melodies and lyrics and often carries a cosmic-spiritual essence.

Like music, dancing also tells stories and reflects the indigenous people and the influences from their environment. The dances have many beliefs and reasons, such as celebrating marriage, adolescence, lunar cycles, and calling upon the spirits of the ancestors. Unlike Western culture, indigenous dances are part of rituals, instead of just for pleasure, in which everyone participates. Some dance examples are Buri Buriti, which reminds participants of their roots and customs; Ayahuasca, which shows how the shaman works to alleviate illnesses; and Kuarup, a sacred dance ritual honouring the passing of a chief or a warrior.

The dancers' costumes often feature skirts and headbands in bright colours and detailed patterns. The skirts may be made from woven grasses or bark cloth, a fabric made from the inner bark of trees. Body paint made from clay, charcoal and plant dyes is used to decorate the skin, and beaded jewellery from seeds or shells is commonly worn as an accessory. The headdress is possibly the most elaborate item worn, made from the feathers of macaws or other brightly coloured birds.

While traditional dances and music face challenges due to globalization and cultural assimilation, efforts are being made to preserve their cultural identity and pass it down to future generations.