Located in the Amazon basin of northern Brazil, Marajó island is a large river island. This tropical island is full of wildlife and beautiful scenery. It is home to many different species of animals, such as caimans, piranhas and water buffaloes. There are also a number of fazendas, or rural homes, scattered around the area.
Buffaloes
Marajo Island, Brazil is home to the largest herd of buffalos in the entire continent. The wild water buffalos here outnumber the human population by more than two to one. This unique island is located in the Amazon River Delta. Besides its wildlife, the island also has a unique culture.
A lot of the Marajo Island’s residents live in homes with tamped earth floors. During the rainy season, huge areas flood. Historically, a legend says that a French boat carrying buffaloes landed in this area.
Water buffaloes are raised for transportation, milk, and meat. They also serve as a great source of hides. Their products are a large part of the local diet.
One of the most interesting aspects of the island’s cultural tradition is the practice of patrolling streets on water buffaloes. In fact, it is a common practice in this region.
Another intriguing aspect of the island’s culture is the tidal bore, which occurs when high tides overcome hydrodynamic interactions in the surrounding rivers. It is also believed that the tidal bore reflects the importance of water to the local inhabitants.
Marajo’s population is divided into matrilineal clans. Various research has been conducted to better understand the population.
Studies have been done to determine how genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale relates to its prevalence in water buffaloes. Research has shown that the etiologic agent of bovine anaplasmosis, Anaplasma marginale, is widespread in Brazil, but the genetic diversity of the strains is low.
Acai palms
Acai palms grow in several regions of the world, especially in the eastern region of the Amazon basin. They are also found in South America, Colombia and Surinam. The plant has a number of uses. It is an important source of food for local tribes. In the 21st century, its demand has grown rapidly. Acai has a reputation for containing antioxidants that may help to prevent free radicals that could cause cell mutations and diseases.
Acai Palms are primarily cultivated for their edible fruit. These edible fruits contain various types of oils. Some of the oils are unsaturated.
The Acai fruit is a small round drupe that has a pulpy mesocarp. It has been compared to a grape. It is produced in branched panicles of 500 to 900 fruits.
Acai berries are dark purple, weighing between 0.8 and 2.3 grams. They have a nutty taste and an oily texture. The acai berry contains a large light brown seed. This seed is covered with fibers that resemble the edible mesocarp.
There is a long history of acai being an important part of the diet of indigenous people in the Amazon region. However, in the past, it was the product of a monoculture. The palm industry began to spread to Marajo Island.
As a result, many of the trees were cut down. However, they weren’t planted back into the forest. Instead, the seeds were spread by water and people.
Lakes
Marajo is the largest river island in the world. It is located in the Amazon River Estuary. The largest lake on the island is Arari.
Marajo Island is inhabited by water buffaloes, which are native to Asia. This species is adapted to thrive in the island’s extreme heat. Water buffalo are known for their meat, which is eaten in restaurants across the world.
Marajo Island is also home to a wide variety of animals and plants. The majority of the land animals on the island are tapirs, which are the largest land animal.
Marajo is also a popular birdwatching destination. A large number of birds make the island their home. In fact, Marajo is the breeding ground of many wading birds.
Although many of the Marajo Island landscapes are highly altered, there are still remnants of ancient economic strategies. These practices may provide local communities with sustainable sources of income.
There have been major ecological and cultural changes to the Marajo Island landscape, especially in the last two centuries. Major ecological problems include overfishing, overhunting, and the loss of lakes. Environmental scientists and ecologists have documented these problems.
Marajo Island has a history of human occupation that stretches back over 5,000 years. Archaeological records indicate that shell middens have been present in the south of the island since 5000 BP. Shell-tempered pottery has been found at some of these sites.
Forests
Marajo Island is located at the mouth of the Amazon River. It is part of the Amazon River Estuary, which mixes salt and freshwater. This island has been studied by geographers, ecologists, and biologists. The diversity of organisms is impressive, including birds such as ducks and egrets, and herons.
Marajo Island is home to a variety of tidal rivers, such as the Paracauari and Camara. During the rainy season, 70% of the area is flooded. These river banks are filled with mangroves. A tangle of aerial roots supports trees up to 30 metres tall.
The island has been occupied by various indigenous peoples throughout history. Among them are the Nheengaibas, a group of non-Tupian speaking people. They were led by warrior chiefs and were organized into 29 distinct social groups.
Indigenous groups mainly depended on fishing and small-scale garden cultivation. They also used palms for food and craft production. Some of the most coveted timber species include Hymenaea courbaril L., Simarouba amara Aubl., and Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel).
Palm forests are abundant on the island. Generally, they are swampy during most of the year. However, they are invaded by livestock during the dry season. Livestock destroy seeds and impede the regeneration of these forests.
Savannas are another characteristic of Marajo Island. The eastern side of the island contains a large lake, a 400 square kilometre (150 sq mi) lake.
Marajoara horseback riding
Marajo in particular is a fine example of the perils of a tropical island and the accompanying hazards associated with it. The likes of lions abound on this oh so green of the scala dei. This is not to mention the other mammals in the fold. For a while in the last few decades, the island was the center of a cattle drive, but that is a different story. Somewhere along the way, some lucky souls had a little fun. Now and then, the strays would be left to their own devices. They could be a handful or a whole herd, as evidenced by the mammoth of a crowd. In short, this is the ideal location for a quick and dirty getaway or a full fledged adventure.
Cheesemaking tradition
Marajo is a large island located on the coast of Para, Brazil. It is known for its buffaloes and its cheese.
The island has a unique climate, which allows native pastures to grow. These pastures are used to feed cattle. They are also the basis for the production of cheeses.
Marajo has been producing cheese for over 200 years. The tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, artisanal cheeses are made almost exclusively with buffalo milk.
Two types of cheeses are produced on the island. One is butter-type, and the other is cream-type. Each type has its own characteristics. Butter-type is less greasy and has a more cream-like consistency.
Cream-type has a slightly acidic flavor. This type of cheese is similar to alpine malga cheese.
Currently, sixty-five to seventy cheese factories are operating in the region. Some of them have the capacity to produce over 60 kilograms of cheese per day. Others are more structured and can produce up to 100 kilograms a day.
A small but growing number of producers have joined the Canastra Cheese Producers Association (APROCAN). This association was formed in 2005, with the goal of promoting the product.
In 2015, the producers of Marajo cheese asked for SISBI-POA membership. SISBI-POA is an organization associated with the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry. SISBI-POA gives a quality standard to artisanal products.
The prestigious “Selo Arte” certification was granted to Sao Victor’s cheese in 2019. The “Cream cheese” has a gold medal and was the first cheese in the North Region to receive this award.