Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor, November 2000

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Using and sustaining natural resources: the Guajá Indians and the babassu palm (Attalea speciosa)

By: Louis C. Forline 

Photos

Guajá shelter (tapiri) thatched with babassu palm fronds. The hammock to the left is made of tucum fibre (Astrocaryum vulgare) and the fire grill to the right of Cecropia sp. (imbaúba). Photo: Louis Forline

Bruchid beetle larvae (Pachymerus nucleorum) in a hollowed-out babassu fruit husk (to be used as fish bait). Photo: Louis Forline

Guajá man cracking open babassu fruit with upright axe. Note that he is positioning the fruit on the axe blade with his left hand, while using a wooden club to crack it open with his other hand. Photo: Louis Forline

Small riverside corral made of babassu fronds in which manioc tubers are soaked. This particular corral is on the Turiacu river at Indian Post Guajá, located on the Alto Turiacu Indian Reserve (see Map 2). Photo: Louis Forline

Guajá woman weaving carrying pack. Photo: Louis Forline

Guajá takaya (hunting blind); these are used not only during hunting, but also on ritual and ceremonial occasions. Photo: Louis Forline

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